Andy Martin on the Issues

Is the "Combine" confident? Or running scared?

2006-03-19T17:19:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

ANDY MARTIN ASKS: IS THE COMBINE “CONFIDENT” OR SCARED?

(CHICAGO)(March 19, 2006) The St. Louis Post-Dispatch had a story today on Judy Topinka’s last minute fund raising that has me scratching my head.

As a candidate I do not enjoy an adulatory press; on the other hand I have been and continue to be a member of the media and write opinion columns. Thus I am always on the lookout for incongruities in news coverage, and remain amazed that every time there is “spin” to be given, Springfield reporters spin in favor of Topinka and not against her.

The Post-Dispatch reported that Topinka had received numerous large, last-minute contributions. The P-D attributed this last minute money to Topinka’s tin cup that “runneth over” with “Combine” cash. The P-D tasked a professor in Springfield, Kent Redfield, as an “expert” to claim that “the biggest players in politics are betting [Topinka is going to win].” Mr. Redfield likes to pop off, but I see no indication he has a background in practical politics or knows anything about the dynamics of an actual political campaign.

What I see (or don’t see) from the real battlefield is that Topinka has been notably absent from the airwaves this week. Beginning last month at WBEZ I slammed Judy for being an unqualified candidate who has run an incompetent campaign.

Here is my alternative hypothesis: The last minute “Combine” money is a sign of weakness, not strength. It is a sign the Combine is scared, not confident. Running against two billionaires, and Andy, why would someone pull back from saturation media just before an election? Probably because of poor fund raising and poor campaign finance management.

My prediction: the Combine has finally awoken to the fact this primary is going to be a photo finish, not a Judy walkaway. For my own part, no one gives me any chance of winning, and I am not predicting victory as such. Nevertheless, the votes I draw will come mostly from Topinka, and those votes will probably decide the election.

In the meantime, why won’t the Springfield media at least give a balanced interpretation of last minute activity, instead of acting as lapdogs for the pathetic Topinka campaign? Why?

Media contact: Andy Martin (312) 440-4124

2006-03-17T16:34:00.000-08:00

Andy Martin asks Topinka Giannoulias investigation

2006-03-17T16:31:00.000-08:00

ANDY MARTIN
The Right Republican for Governor
30 E. Huron Street, Suite 4406
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Tel. (312) 440-4124
Fax (312) 440-4125
Web site: AndyforIllinois.com
E-mail: AndyforIllinois@aol.com
Blog: AndyontheIssues.blogspot.com

March 17, 2006

SAC Robert D. Grant
FBI
219 S. Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60604-1702

SUGGESTION FOR POSSIBLE INVESTIGATION

Dear Agent Grant:

I am currently a candidate for Governor of Illinois. During the course of a campaign you get bits and pieces of information, and often they do not connect or add up. And, things happen on the campaign trial that initially do not make sense, or do not seem to be connected but eventually you being to see patterns and relationships.

I am writing to share with you my conclusions concerning possible crime syndicate links at a local bank, as well as the incumbent State Treasurer (my opponent) as well as a candidate for Treasurer, Alexi Giannoulias.

Very frankly, I do not have the means to complete my investigation. Nevertheless, I believe that there is a bona fide preliminary basis to look further into the Broadway National Bank (“BNB”) and Judy Baar Topinka’s relationship with that institution.

You may have seen the news reports concerning the BNB (one example accompanies this letter). The reports are troubling to say the least. A small bank in a neighborhood in Chicago facilitating credits in Miami? Hello? I was much more active in fighting organized crime in the 1970’s but I can see a red flag when it is put up to my nose.

Moreover, as I campaigned with Topinka I saw that she was constantly seeking to redeem “chits” for banking favors done to special interest groups. It was very organized. I believe I can now say that she has been using the state’s financial resources as a political slush fund. I believe you will find on closer inspection that Topinka and Giannoulias and BNB all have links, direct and indirect, to each other.

I do not necessarily believe that Topinka has enriched herself personally from her ties to these interests and figures; but she has been “taking in the cleaning” for former Governor Ryan and others for a long, long time.

Please feel free to contact me if you wish to discuss the matter further.

Respectfully submitted,

ANDY MARTIN

AM:sp

Judy Topinka, Alexi Giannoulias face FBI complaint

2006-03-17T16:24:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ANDY MARTIN SEEKS FBI INVESTIGATION:

“SOPRANOS” TOPINKA AND “MOBBED UP” DEMOCRAT BANKER ALEXI GIANNOULIAS CAUGHT IN ANDY MARTIN’S INVESTIGATIVE CLAWS

(CHICAGO)(March 17, 2006) Andy Martin told a Chicago news conference today that he has asked the FBI to investigate links between the Illinois State Treasurer's office, incumbent Treasurer Judy Topinka, Alexi Giannoulias, a Democratic candidate for State Treasurer, and organized crime elements in Chicago.

Martin also filed Freedom of Information requests with Topinka’s office. Topinka has not yet responded to the FOI demands.

Copies of the requests are attached to this e-mail (Word files).

“The idea that a ‘mobbed up’ banker should be running for State Treasurer is so Chicago, so Illinois, so Sopranos,” Martin said. ‘It’s joke. Luckily, Alexi Giannoulias will take a lot of liberals down the tubes with him.

“In years to come the ‘Broadway National Bank’ caper will rank with the best of them. March 21st? You haven’t seen anything yet,” Martin said. “Much to my amazement we continue to investigate and expose these scandals, decade after decade, and do it successfully. I challenge Judy Topinka to deny the facts I have alleged, or to deny her office’s links to Giannoulias and Broadway National Bank. Judy’s just as sleazy as her mentor, former Governor George Ryan, although it took more digging and investigating to discover the truth about her. Well, it’s all out there to see now.”

Some of Martin’s earlier investigative actions, going all the way back to law school and the Illinois Supreme Court’s “Klingbiel/Solfisburg bank stock scandal” can be reviewed at AndyMartin.com.

Media contact: Andy Martin campaign (312) 440-4124

StopTopinka.us web site exposes Judy Topinka's incompetence

2006-03-16T23:55:00.001-08:00

STOPTOPINKA.US IS NOW UP FOR VIEWING

(CHICAGO)(March 17, 2006) Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Martin announced today that his web site StopTopinka.us is fully operational and available to be viewed.

“We first activated StopTopinka.us several weeks ago; but it was time-consuming to collect and present all of our analysis. Now it’s done. We present five (5) specific topics on which we challenge Topinka.

“Unlike some of Topinka’s other opponents, who have made attacks on Judy’s personal life, I have completely refrained from that approach. Instead, I have chosen to attack Topinka ‘in her own words,’ by documenting from Judy’s own website that she is an incompetent lightweight who has misused and abused her office and illegally taken money from Illinois taxpayers for her personal causes. I may agree with some of her causes, but I completely disagree with her diversion of state resources to support them.

“Unlike other web sites, with which we have absolutely no affiliation, our web site is child friendly and can be viewed by anyone of any age. And, unlike personal attacks, which may or may not resonate, my accusations are anchored in Topinka’s own incompetence and misfeasance as a state official. Topinka’s service in the State Treasurer’s office is a completely proper topic for attack and discussion. StopTopinka.us says it all, in Judy’s own words.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Andy Martin Campaign (312) 440-4124

StopTopinka.us web site exposes Judy Topinka incompetence

2006-03-16T23:55:00.000-08:00

1968 FBI Report calls Andy Martin "leading spokesman for conservatism at U. of I."

2006-03-16T23:36:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

ANDY MARTIN RELEASES 1968 FBI REPORT TO J. EDGAR HOOVER STATING MARTIN IS “ONE OF THE LEADING SPOKESMEN FOR CONSERVATISM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS”

(CHICAGO)(March 17, 2006) Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Martin will hold a Chicago news conference Friday March 17th, to release a 1968 FBI report to J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the FBI, calling Martin “one of the leading spokesmen for conservatism at the University of Illinois and an outspoken opponent of the ‘New left.’”

“Normally an FBI letter almost forty years old would not mean much,” Martin will state. “But this ancient document confirms that my conservative credentials represent a lifetime commitment. I have spoken often during the current campaign of my commitment as a young law student at the U. of I. to fighting corruption in Illinois government. Long ago, the FBI recognized that I was zealously committed to conservatism, and opposed to leftist dogma. I still am.

“Not everyone who calls themselves a ‘conservative’ identifies with or agrees with my conservative principles. I take an extremely restrained attitude towards what government should do, and how it should do it. Government is a heavy-handed mechanism under the best of circumstances, and should be imposed on citizens only reluctantly and not with casual regularity.

“The Report to J. Edgar Hoover was written almost 40 years ago; if I have learned anything in 40 years as a conservative it is that we should be ‘conservative’ when imposing government on the American people, and even more conservative when imposing our government on other peoples. That is why I have not hesitated to identify myself with the career of Illinois’ U. S. Senator Everett Dirksen, who was a conservative with caution, and a conservative with a conscience. He grew in office and so would I.

“While I have the highest respect for those who claim to respond to higher standards of morality, such morality often clouds reality. As Governor, I will work to bring people together, and work to proffer sensible, workable solutions to Illinois’ problems.

“On Wednesday a broadcaster in Peoria asked me ‘What are you going to do for me?” ‘Provide honest government,’ I replied. Honest government so you can earn an honest living and live an honest life.

“We approach the end of a campaign where heavy-handed media censorship has sought to erase my lifetime of accomplishment and conservatism. But I will not be erased so easily. The FBI saw in me 40 years ago an honest man who would fight an honest fight for conservatism. They were right then. I am right now to continue that battle. My lifetime commitment continues, and my life is far from over.
“If I am chosen to represent the Republican Party in November, I will take my credentials to the people of Illinois. As a ‘leading spokesman for conservatism’ for 40 years, I think they can trust me to do the right job, and I will trust them to make the right choice. I am the Right Republican for Governor.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Andy Martin Campaign (312) 440-4124

Andy Martin blasts Topinka, Brady on abortion

2006-03-14T00:14:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

ANDY MARTIN RATCHETS UP ABORTION ISSUE, SKEWERS TOPINKA AS A “FRAUD” ON ABORTION, BILL BRADY AS “RIGHT-WING” NUT

MARTIN BEGINS ATTACKS ON WGN-TV, CONTINUES WITH NEWS CONFERENCE ATTACKING FOES ON ABORTION ISSUE

(CHICAGO)(March 14, 2006) Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Martin goes on the attack Tuesday on the abortion issue, and accuses Judy Topinka of being a “pro-choice fraud,” Bill Brady a “right-wing nut”.

Martin will begin his attacks on Topinka and Brady as a guest on WGN-TV at 7:30 A.M., and continue on with an afternoon news conference.

“Judy Topinka is not ‘pro-choice,” says Martin. “The first ‘choice’ she made as a candidate was to choose a right-wing nut as her running mate, someone who favors forcing women who are raped to bear the rapists’ babies. Likewise Bill Brady says he is a moderate who can attract Democrats? He is equally nutty.

“The ultimate corollary of what Brady supports would give rapists custody rights. When you advocate forcing women who are raped or victims of incest to bear babies, as Joe Birkett and Bill Brady do, you are endorsing a situation where judges will ultimately decide that the ‘father’ of a child has custody rights.

“I am astounded by candidates who claim to be ‘pro-marriage’ and ‘pro-family’ who are unable to condemn pregnancies begun by rape and incest. By implication they endorse starting a family by raping a woman or having sex with your daughter. What kind of families do Topinka and Brady support?

“Judy Topinka has bamboozled women with the fraudulent assertion she is pro-choice. In her heart, she may be. But she knuckled under to the right wing as her first campaign decision. Some backbone. If she can’t be trusted to ‘choose’ right when she is a candidate, why should she be trusted to defend choice if she were in the governor’s office?

“There is a fallacy and fraud about Judy Topinka that the media have ignored. Topinka has ‘played’ at the role of ‘moderate’ during an era when she was protested by powerful men, the ‘boys’ she likes to ridicule. Now that Topinka is on her own, and the ‘boys’ are under indictment, she is incapable of standing up to the conservative power structure. Every decision she has made during the primary has been a capitulation to the right wing. Instead of calling Bill Brady what he is, a right-wing nut who also favors custody rights for rapists, Topinka has praised Brady because he has been playing footsie with Judy.

“The reality is that Topinka has no track record making real decisions, and the few decisions she has made since becoming a gubernatorial candidate have been obeisance to the right-wing. Topinka’s popularity as a candidate stems from her lack of making hard decisions, from her service in a powder puff office where the elected official does very little and does not face tough choices.

“Come November, the media will be skewering Topinka and pointing out the very same inconsistencies and fallacies I am pointing out today. They will be endorsing Blagojevich.

“I am sick and tired of the rank hypocrisy on the right about abortion. Extremists, starting from talk show hosts on down, like to blather against abortion. But the minute the tragedy strikes their own families, they run to have an abortion. A friend of mine rants and raves on the radio against abortion. But when his girl friend got pregnant she was marched off to end the pregnancy.

“Abortion should be a medical, not political, issue. I am running to lead this state, and lead it—kicking and screaming—into the 21st century, not back to the 19th. The efforts by some Republicans to divide Americans with abortion politics are regrettable, hypocritical and ensure that we will remain a minority party in Illinois.

“People do not want abortion mills on every street corner. I know I don’t. But they do believe that women of every age should have access to informed and impartial birth control information, and information on how to terminate a pregnancy. If they are comfortable discussing this with their family, praise God. If not, then they should have access to independent assistance, especially in cases of rape and incest.

“To the extent that Topinka has chosen a right-wing running mate, she has forfeited the pro-choice position. She is lying to the public, and the media are lying along with her. It is pathetic to watch, a morality play in reverse. To the extent that Topinka’s ‘partner,’ Birkett, and Bill Brady advocate forcing women to bear babies conceived out of rape or incest, their views are creepy and despicable and outside the mainstream of civilized society.

“As governor, I would work to reduce abortions. But I would word against abortion by empowering the medical community, and shaming parents into dealing with the sexual activity of their children, not by empowering judges, lawyers and prosecutors to politicize and judicialize unwanted pregnancies,” Martin will charge.

“Judy Topinka, Wrong for Illinois, Wrong for the Republican Party. Bill Brady, a right-wing nut case.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Andy Martin Campaign (312) 440-4124

CHICAGO NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:

WHO: REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN

WHERE: SE corner of Huron and Wabash Streets
(St James cathedral), Chicago

WHEN: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 2:00 P. M.

WHAT: ANDY MARTIN BRINGS ABORTION TO THE FORE, SAYS
JUDY TOPINKA IS NOT “PRO-CHOICE,” SHE AND THE MEDIA
ALONG WITH HER HAVE LIED TO THE PUBLIC; BILL BRADY IS
A “RIGHT-WING NUT”

Andy Martin to President Bush on the Middle East

2006-01-28T22:17:00.000-08:00

ANDY MARTIN
The Right Republican for Governor
10 E. Ontario Street, Suite 1210
Chicago, IL 60611-2753
Tel. (312) 440-4124
Fax (312) 440-4125
Web site: AndyforIllinois.com
E-mail: AndyforIllinois@aol.com
Blog: AndyontheIssues.blogspot.com

January 29, 2006

President George Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Via fax (202) 456-2461

Re: Palestinians and the Middle East Peace Process

Dear President Bush:

I am writing to you on the day before an important meeting to decide what funding will continue for the Palestine Authority.

Once again, I believe you are receiving biased and misleading advice. As America’s most respected independent foreign policy and intelligence analyst, I would like to proffer advice and suggestions which may be contrary to what you are hearing from the Washington political establishment.

As you know from our earlier contacts, during the disastrous administration of Paul Bremer in Iraq, my experience in the Middle East is quite different than those of the Pennsylvania Avenue cowboys who have never traveled in that region without an official passport. I travel and live without any official role.

You are being pressured to suspend aid to the Palestinian Authority because of last week’s election. Don’t do it. You have an unbelievably positive opportunity to break the logjam in that conflict by keeping the aid flowing and even increasing it.

I am a strong supporter of the war on terror. I was in New York City on business on 9/11 and I would personally take extreme action against the perpetrators of that crime. But Hamas has never been part of the war on terror.

Hamas considers itself part of an occupied people, at war with the Israelis, and they consider themselves as entitled to take violent action to end the occupation as Israel does to maintain the occupation. Hamas has never threatened the United States. Hamas was originally used by the Israeli government to undermine the secular nationalism of the PLO/Fatah.

If you treat the Palestinian elections as a defeat, and exacerbate conditions for the people, as well as increasing the pressure on Hamas, you will only drive this organization into the hands of America’s real enemies.

During the past year Hamas has observed peace with Israel. They have been at least as restrained as the Israelis in refraining from retaliatory attacks. The reality is that neither side in the Israel/Palestine conflict is covered with glory. Both sides are constantly seeking to defeat the other. Both sides are seeking to demonize the other. There is no surprise there.

I think you should announce that Hamas’ status will be reviewed on the basis of acts, and not words. We negotiate with the PLO when that organization had incendiary language in its articles of organization.

I know you considered Ariel Sharon a close friend in the region, but he was a disaster for American policy and America’s interests. Sharon deluded him into believing he could impose his grandiose schemes for annexation and permanent occupation at the barrel of a gun, and that Israeli military power would prevail over Palestinian rights. He was wrong. You wasted years listening to him. Indeed, if anyone can be called the godfather of Hamas’ victory, it is Sharon himself.

Here is what I propose you do:

1. Announce that actions, not words, will control U. S. policy. If Hamas maintains the peace, U. S. aid will flow and may even increase.

2. Recognize that the greatest gift you could confer on the Israeli people is to bring a resolution to the conflict with a settlement that no one likes, neither side. Israelis need to accept that they will not be able to occupy and dominate the Palestinians, any more than Palestinians can do the same to Israel. Take a firm position with both sides. It is only when our deeds are seen as impartial that we will gain the credibility to help resolve this festering controversy. You do Israel and the Israeli people no help when you tip American policy in favor of them; you achieve the opposite result. You prolong the confrontation.

3. Restrain the extreme right here at home; it is almost as focused on confrontation as extremists in the Middle East. You have said so often that “Islam is not the enemy,” and it is not. You’re right. But some of the people around you have not caught on. There are many mosques in the Washington area. Visit one occasionally. Be the “good guy” that I know you are.

4. Put American policy in the hands of those who do not have any emotional attachment to either side. For example, people who have been associated with pro-Israel positions or with pro-Arab positions arising out of oil contacts, lack credibility. I am a lawyer, though I do not practice law. Two good lawyers, one on either side, could settle this mess. Lawyers are trained to keep emotion out of conflicts, and to restrain their clients, not inflame them. Unfortunately, many of the people you have sent to the Middle East lacked the impartiality to give you the best advice.

I am a Republican candidate for Governor, and I have conducted a campaign which welcomes all peoples to my campaign. Christians, Jews, Muslims. And every other faith or no faith. The genius of our great nation was that its founders created a secular society where all are free to pray and worship as they wish. And prosper. I support those founding principles. They are worthy of being extended wherever people of good will voluntarily and peacefully embrace them.

Christians, Jews and Muslims live in peace and prosperity in Illinois because all are protected and all are free. How we live our daily lives says more about America than all of the convoluted programs and policies we have sought to impose on the outside world.

If I can render any help to you, in any capacity, in dealing with these critical problems, please pick up the phone and call. I have lived my life as a servant of the U. S. Constitution and in your capacity as the chief constitutional officer I will do whatever I can to assist you.

Respectfully submitted,

ANDY MARTIN

AM:sp

ANDY MARTIN LAWSUIT WINS KENO BATTLE

2006-01-24T23:07:00.002-08:00

ANDY MARTIN LAWSUIT PROMPTS BLAGO TO DROP KENO PLANS, LAW PROFESSOR/CANDIDATE SCORES MAJOR LEGAL VICTORY AS ATTORNEY GENERAL DROPS DEFENSE OF BLAH BLAH BLAGO

REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN
WILL HOLD “VICTORY” NEWS CONFERENCE THIS EVENING, JANUARY 24TH

INSIDE POLITICS IN ILLINOIS: DID ATTORNEY GENERAL REFUSE TO DEFEND BLAGO IN ANDY’S LAWSUIT?

(CHICAGO)(January 24, 2006) The Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate who led the fight against keno in Illinois and created a web site and statewide task force to bludgeon the Blagojevich administration will hold a news conference this evening, January 24th, to claim victory.

Andy Martin will hold a sidewalk news conference Tuesday, January 24th at 9:45 P.M. to respond to Governor Rod Blagojevich's keno surrender.

"Well, anyone can Google ‘stop keno in Illinois’ and find out I led the attack on Blah Blah Blago,” Martin will state. “My lawsuit to block keno was widely covered in the media. While most of my Republican colleagues/candidates mouthed disapproval of Blago’s proposal, I was the only one that took tough action.

“My understanding is that Blago was told that the Attorney General would not defend him in my lawsuit filed in Sangamon County to block keno. Once again, one of my public interest lawsuits saves the day. When confronted, Blago went for cover, and there was no cover. The AG threw him to the dogs. Blago surrendered. He had no one to defend him in court.

“Once again, I proved that when I attack, public officials surrender. It happened thirty (30) years ago with Big Jim Thompson, reversing himself on the creation of Interstate 39 which I supported, and it happed today when Blago surrendered.

“I don’t see how any sentient creature, let alone a human being, can continue to assert that any of my opponents are seriously ‘frontrunners’ to oppose Blago. I am the only candidate that can take on Blago and send him back to his gangsta haven.

“Keno is dead. Next, Blago’s political career. But only if Republicans stop piddling around and stop acting like kindergarten children, and start supporting a fighter instead of a bunch of talkers.

“Blago obviously has contempt for the legislature, as emperors usually do, or else he would not have proffered keno in his State of the State address. Last week, the ‘State of the State’ was front page news. Today the main revenue proposal lies dead.

“I fought; Illinoisans won. That’s the long and short of it. I will do more of the same as Illinois governor.”

MEDIA
CONTACT: Andy Martin Campaign (312) 440-4124

Web: AndyforIllinois.com;
Blog: AndyontheIssues.blogspot.com;
E-mail: AndyforIllinois@aol.com;

Web: StopKenoinIllinois.com
Blog: StopKenoinIllinois.blogspot.com

Contributions: AndyforIllinois.com

Andy Martin declares war on keno gambling in Illinois

2006-01-12T23:12:00.000-08:00

BULLETIN: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 13, 2006

ANDY MARTIN ACTIVATES WEB SITE: STOPKENOINILLINOIS.COM

(CHICAGO) Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Martin has activated a StopKenoinIllinois.com web site and is creating a statewide strike force in opposition to Governor Blagojevich’s efforts to legalize keno gambling in Illinois.

“We are moving quickly. We will invite all to participate. Initially, we are encouraging an interfaith effort, inviting Christians, Jews and Muslims to join in energizing their communities to block additional gambling in Illinois. All are welcome, however, religious or non-religious.

“Gambling is a cancer that strikes at our most vulnerable: it endangers children, not protects them, as Governor Blagojevich falsely asserts. Like the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood, Blagojevich pretends to be a ‘friend of children,’ while in reality his governing proposals are the enemy of every child and the enemy of any future for Illinois children.

“Blagojevich should move to Nevada if he wants to be the emperor of a gambling empire. Illinoisans do not want to make this state into a massive casino.

“As a candidate for governor I invite every citizen of Illinois, Republican, Democrat and Independent to join me in launching all out war against Blagojevich’s evil proposal. Blagojevich has thrown down the gauntlet. My campaign has responded in force and we will continue to do so in the days ahead,” Martin stated.

Martin is scheduled to participate in a news conference in Chicago, Friday morning organized by the First United Methodist Church (Chicago Temple) at 10:00 A.M., 77 W. Washington Street.

“This effort to stop Blagojevich may be starting on Friday the 13th. But I plan to be the Republican nominee for governor and to make November 7th Blago’s final Friday the 13th. But while I may be a partisan candidate, opposition to gambling is a nonpartisan issue and I welcome every Illinoisan to join me,” Martin will state.

MEDIA
CONTACT:

ANDY MARTIN (312) 440-4124;

Web: StopKenoinIllinois.com
Blog: StopKenoinIllinois.blogspot.com

Other:

Web: AndyforIllinois.com;
Blog: AndyontheIssues.blogspot.com;
E-mail: AndyforIllinois@aol.com;
Contributions: AndyforIllinois.com

Iraq's impact on Illinois becomes issue in gubernatorial primary

2006-01-12T15:10:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 12, 2006

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN WILL MAKE ILLINOIS GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY A REFERENDUM ON IRAQ, ASK PRESIDENT BUSH TO “BRING HOME OUR HEROES.”

CANDIDATE ACCEPTS PRESIDENT’S OFFER TO RECEIVE “HONEST CRITICISM” AS “A CREDIT TO OUR DEMOCRACY”

(CHICAGO)(January 12, 2006) Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Martin will tell the Cook County Republican Convention Friday, January 13th in Rosemont (Chicago) Illinois that he will make the gubernatorial primary a referendum on Iraq. Martin promises that if he is nominated he will ask to meet with President Bush to tell him “The Illinois economy is hurting. Mr. President…Bring home our heroes. Put Illinois first.”

Martin will hold a news conference after his speech to the Republican convention.

“Tuesday the president invited ‘honest critics’ to comment on to our Iraq policy. It is entirely appropriate that Republicans lead that effort,” Martin will state.

“Governors do not have a role in foreign policy, so I will not address the current conduct of the war. My prior reporting from Baghdad in 2003 exposed Paul Bremer’s incompetence and maladministration.

“Governors do have a critical role in domestic economic policy. I believe the protracted conflict in Iraq is devastating the Illinois economy. Three years ago people bought SUV’s and drove them with oil at $20 a barrel. Today oil at is $70 a barrel. People buy Japanese cars.

“Ironically, our allies profit from American efforts to spread democracy in the Middle East. United Auto Workers lose their jobs to foreign auto makers. Families fear for their futures. Pensions are disappearing. This cannot continue.

“Arab nations have not come to our aid, three years later. Saudis profit by selling us oil at inflated prices to defend them. The American public will not tolerate this incongruity indefinitely. It is time to Put America First.

“It is time to invest in Illinois, not Iraq. The heartland is hurting; voters want budgetary priorities to reflect economic reality. American taxpayers cannot afford to spend $1 billion a day forever just so the Middle East will someday become ‘democratic.’

“I follow in the great tradition of Illinois’ own U. S. Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen, who said ‘When I feel the heat, I see the light.’ It is time for Illinois voters to send a little ‘heat’ to Washington, to send a clear message, so policymakers see the ‘light’: ‘Mr. President… bring home our heroes.’

“It will not benefit Americans if we go bankrupt fighting for Arab democracy. Bringing democracy to the Middle East is a job best left to Arabs, not Americans.

“I have a consistent record of supporting President Bush’s goals while offering ‘honest criticism’ of his methods. As a result of our differences over Mr. Bremer, the president should respect my insight and analysis. I think a Republican whom the president respects is the best person to open the president’s eyes to the devastating impact of prolonged conflict on the Illinois economy.

“In the March 21st primary, a vote for me is a vote to send President Bush the message, ‘Mr. President… Bring home our heroes. It is time to put Illinois and America first.’

“Every Illinoisan now has the opportunity to cast a primary vote for ‘heat’ and ‘light’ in the tradition of Senator Dirksen. They can support me to express their view of the war’s impact on our state.

“Finally, my fear is that if we do not recalibrate our economic priorities to Put Illinois First, the public will eventually lose faith in the war against terror; that is a conflict where there can be no retreat and no defeat.”

Media contact: Andy Martin (312) 440-4124; Website: AndyforIllinois.com; Contributions: AndyforIllinois.com; Blog: AndyontheIssues.blogspot.com; E-mail: AndyforIllinois@aol.com.

Andy Martin Opposes Keno Gambling for Illinois

2006-01-12T15:07:00.000-08:00

ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT/DAYBOOK EDITORS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN
PLANS TO SUE GOVERNOR BLAGOJEVICH OVER KENO GAMBLING

(CHICAGO)(January 13, 2006) Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Martin will join a news conference Friday, January 10th 10:00 A.M. (see following Media Advisory from original source) to oppose Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s proposal to introduce keno gambling to the State of Illinois.

Martin will announce that he plans to file a lawsuit to test the legality of Blagojevich’s claim that keno gambling has already been approved by the General Assembly.

“We are preparing legal papers to serve on the governor,” Martin will state. “He claims that keno gambling has already been approved. My reading of the law is to the contrary. In the area of gambling, the principle is not that what is not forbidden is permitted; rather, the law is that what is not expressly authorized is not authorized at all.

“I am sure many Representatives and Senators have been surprised to hear what Blah Blah Blago is telling them, namely that they previously approved keno gambling for Illinois.

“Once again, Blagojevich seeks to make a joke of the law, the General Assembly, and the People of Illinois. I will do my best to stop him.”

NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS FOLLOW IN A SEPARATE MEDIA ADVISORY

MEDIA
CONTACT: ANDY MARTIN (312) 440-4124;
Web: AndyforIllinois.com;
Blog: AndyontheIssues.blogspot.com;
E-mail: AndyforIllinois@aol.com;
Contributions: AndyforIllinois.com

First United Methodist Church (Chicago Temple)
77 West Washington, 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
312/ 236-4548

Media Advisory
For Immediate Release For Further Information, Contact:
January 12, 2006 Doug Dobmeyer, 773-338-9825
Cell: 312/315-6887

United Methodist Leader Says “No to Keno Gambling for Illinois”
Candidates for Governor to Speak

(Chicago, IL…) Governor Rod Blagojevich announced a plan this week to allow Keno gambling in restaurants and bars by Executive Order. The plan if implemented would represent an expansion of gambling throughout the state, including Chicago that violates a pledge the governor signed in 2002 that he would not expand gambling.

Dr. Philip L. Blackwell, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Chicago (Chicago Temple) said, "The Keno proposal will bring one addiction to another addiction that will hurt working people. Governor Blagojevich pledged during the 2002 campaign to not expand gambling and we expect him to honor that pledge"

What: A news conference opposing Keno gambling plan in Illinois.

Why: This move by the governor that circumvents the legislature will implement a negative public policy concerning gambling in Illinois:

Ø Keno will create an intrusive gambling policy for Illinois, including Chicago;
Ø Circumvents public discussion and consent by the legislature; and
Ø Bring more crime and poverty to Illinois, including Chicago.

Details of the Press Conference

Who: Reverend Dr. Philip Blackwell Senior Pastor of the Chicago Temple, Edwin Eisendrath, candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor, James Oberweis and Andy Martin, candidates for the Republican nomination for Governor Rev. Oscar Carrasco, Director of Connectional Ministries, Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Where: First United Methodist Church (Chicago Temple), 77 West Washington, Second Floor, Chicago

When: Friday, January 13, 2006, 10:00 AM

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Doug DobmeyerDobmeyer CommunicationsP.O.Box 268617Chicago, IL 60626Office: 773/338-9825Fax: 773/338-9825Cell: 312/315-6887E-mail: dcdobmeyer@aol.comInternet: http://www.dobmeyer.com

Blagojvich mercury plans endanger Illinois

2006-01-08T15:15:00.000-08:00

REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN
CHARGES BLAGOJEVICH MERCURY CONTROL PLAN ENDANGERS WORKING PEOPLE AND UNION MEMBERS IN ILLINOIS; ANDY SUGGESTS GOVERNOR IS CONTROLLED BY A DESPERATE "LEFT-WING, LUNATIC FRINGE" OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

(CHICAGO)(January 9, 2006) Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Martin will hold a news conference Tuesday, January 10th to accuse Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich of proposing a mercury control plan that endangers working people and union members in Illinois. Martin suggests that Blagojevich is increasingly controlled by an extreme "left-wing, lunatic fringe" of the Democratic Party.

"Governor Blagojevich's mercury control plan, while posing as friendly to women and children, is really their mortal enemy," Martin will state. "We are all committed to clean air and clean water. Neither Democrats nor Republicans have a monopoly on environmental protection.

"Alone among the Republican candidates I have won major environmental lawsuits. Decades ago I popularized the use of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in Illinois courts. I stopped then-Illinois Power from building a high voltage line across the runway approaches at Willard Field in Champaign (Savoy). In 1972 I filed the first lawsuit challenging the president's power to 'impound' water pollution control funds. My legal theories were adopted by the U. S. Supreme Court. I don't have to ride at the back of the bus when it comes to environmental credentials.

"But I also realize that environmental controls must be implemented in a way that does not endanger our power grid and employment structure. Today, the heartland economy is hurting. Plants are endangered, pensions are evaporating, unemployment looms as our economy prospers without prosperity for working people and union members. We do not need any more economic shocks from a governor desperate to confuse the public and buy votes for his endangered reelection.

"Do we need to control mercury? Absolutely. Can we do it overnight, by political fiat? No we cannot. If Blagojevich succeeds, Illinois fails, Illinois workers lose their jobs, and Illinois families lose their homes. That's a 'toxic' tradeoff that only a desperate politician could support.

"Increasingly Blagojevich is tilting towards the radical, left-wing lunatic fringe of the Democratic Party. He thought he could ward off a primary challenge by being to the left of the left. It didn’t work. Eisendrath is in the race. Yet Blagojevich persists in proposing leftist nonsense and spewing forth programs that will bankrupt Illinois taxpayers.

"I want to be clear: there is a reasonable approach to mercury control, and there is an irrational approach. Blago has chosen the political approach, not the environmental approach. He may confuse a few voters and win a few votes, but in the long run Blago's shenanigans will endanger public confidence in and support for environmental control. No one who faces job loss and home loss would want to control mercury immediately, when a gradual program would work almost as well without endangering our economy.

"And so I issue this challenge to Blah Blah Blago: stop endangering the working families of Illinois; stop jeopardizing the jobs of union members. Stop threatening our power supply and electric grid with harebrained schemes than can only lead to disaster. In the immortal words of Joseph Welch, please stop manipulating your public trust in a manner than can only impose 'reckless cruelty' on the people of Illinois."

"Mercury control is not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. It is a public health issue. There are lot of good Republicans and good Democrats who want to work together to protect our environment. Stop polarizing the public arena for your own selfish political purposes. I promise to work with both Democrats and Republicans to adopt sensible, cost-effective environmental plans. We will control mercury, and we will also keep Illinoisans at work and protect our power grid."

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

2006-01-04T10:30:00.000-08:00

Mere mention of the word “drugs” gives people in politics conniptions, especially “conservatives.” But drugs, like guns, often have good uses; bad people may abuse some drugs, but that doesn’t mean people who need medical assistance should be denied benefits because of the abuses of others. Marijuana seems to fall into that category.

So, medical marijuana? Yes, I support allowing the medical use of marijuana in Illinois. As Governor I would ask the legislature to enact such a law.

Eleven states have approved some form of medical marijuana despite continuing threats by federal mandarins in Washington to lower the boom. Why is it that conservative Republicans always invoke “federalism” when it suits them, and then deny federalism when states enact laws that blue noses in Washington don’t like? Got me.

I have never used drugs (no, I never even inhaled). I think we can do a lot more to help reduce drug abuses. But we need to talk sense to our children and young adults, not senselessly scare them.

Leaders and legislators must act like adults if they expect to be taken seriously by children and students. The bottom line is that I see drug abuse as a public health problem, not a criminal justice challenge.

The so-called “war on drugs” is a joke and a disaster. The money wasted on “war” should be diverted to public health programs to help drug users and abusers.

“Drug use” prosecutions often involve corruption of the judicial system, and rank hypocrisy. Prosecutors jail “drug users,” and then go to a party and snort cocaine or other “recreational drugs.” No thanks. I don’t endorse either the drug use or hypocrisy. It’s time for straight talk, and a change of direction in public policy.

Ironically, the “war on tobacco” (fortunately, no one ever bothered to declare that war) points the way to success. As a society we have gradually reduced tobacco use, and done so without filling jails.

I will ask the legislature to open a debate on legalizing medical marijuana and let the issue play out in the General Assembly.

What to expect on this blog

2006-01-01T19:12:00.000-08:00

Most voters have never run for office. They probably never will run for office. They don't have a familiarity with the highways and byways of campaigns. One of the prime duties of a candidate is to respond to questionnaires from interest groups throughout the state. This blog will be an inside look at the types of questions we receive, and how we answer them. We will not be posting my specific responses to the questions; we will be posting my comments and thoughts on critical issues as they arise.

As a Republican, I am a somewhat unusual candidate. I have a strong record of support for civil rights and civil liberties. I am committed to the right to privacy. In today's confused world, some people might characterize such traditional Republican views as "liberal." We often forget that the great civil rights laws of the 1960's only passed with the strong support of Illinois' own Everett McKinley Dirksen, and that more Republicans than Democrats supported the end to segregation. Thus, I view myself as a mainstream, traditional, Dirksonian conservative Republican.

Looked at from a more modern perspective, I am also extremely conservative when it comes to supporting the Second Amendment. I view the Second Amendment as one of the bedrocks of our democracy, a recognition by the founders that citizens retained significant rights, among them the right to defend their homes, their property, their lives and their families without interference from the government. That is why the founders made the Second Amendment part of the Bill of Rights.

This blog will discuss and define my complex views on the issues, and how I would lead the State of Illinois as Governor. I hope that after reading my comments you too will agree I am "the Right Republican for Governor."

Unlike my opponents, most of whom will probably rely on staff assistants to manage their blogs, I will be writing all of my own comments. You get me, unfiltered. I will be reviewing your responses, unfiltered too.