Ibendahl on Politics

Perverted logic at core of Topinka candidacy

January 10, 2006

So the red fox of Illinois now wants to run the hen house. How does the argument go again? Someone from the Chicago media corps spouts it at least once a day. It goes like this: Illinois has now become such a "blue" state, only a Democrat can win statewide. The only hope Illinois...

You’re a mean one Ms. Topinka

December 22, 2005

When you hear the bell-ringer and walk by one of those Salvation Army Red Kettles this Holiday Season, consider being a little more generous than usual this year. Thanks to Judy Baar Topinka, the Salvation Army has lost some financial help for its fine work on behalf of the poor in Cook County.

Sell-Out Joe (Part 2)

December 21, 2005

Kjellander wasn't "elected" to anything. He was muscled in by a rigged-up kangaroo court, overseen by other members of the Topinka campaign team. Topinka-backer Kirk Dillard Chaired the Nominating Committee at the State Convention. The 19-person committee was stacked with handpicked members, many of whom had unbelievable conflicts of interest favoring Kjellander. The member...

Sell-Out Joe (Part 1)

December 20, 2005

Anyone who hasn't yet read the book should treat themselves this Holiday Season to 1776, by Pulitzer Prize winner David McCullough. 1776 is a riveting account of the Revolutionary War in the year of the Declaration of Independence. The historical novel centers on General Washington and his Herculean efforts to recruit and then...

Topinka’s rollout beyond Orwellian

December 10, 2005

Uninitiated school kids reading Orwell's classic metaphor about the Russian Revolution may sometimes feel it is exaggerated or hard to relate to. But for an even more surreal education into the expert use of political double-speak as a tool, and the ability of power to corrupt - look no further than today's Illinois Republican...

Reformers reclaim agenda from Topinka and feckless allies

December 2, 2005

We're delighted to have some very positive news for a change.

Will the media keep drinking Topinka’s Kool-Aid?

November 29, 2005

Recently we asked, what would a Topinka Administration look like? How Republican would it be?

Topinka ally calls marriage protectors “rank bigots”?

November 26, 2005

What would a Topinka Administration look like? How Republican would it be? Answer: about as Republican as her operation is now - that is to say - not very Republican, and not even very "moderate." Let's have some honesty in our Illinois GOP for a change.

Blagojevich’s trash is Topinka’s Treasure

November 14, 2005

Judy Baar Topinka and her mentor George Ryan long-ago abandoned the Republican base, and the alienation is largely mutual. Among real Republicans, any reminder of either brings the sort of uncomfortable conversations one might experience at Thanksgiving Dinner when excuses are made as to why the black sheep of the family isn't present. Republicans...

Disgracing Ronald Reagan’s Legacy in his Native Illinois

November 10, 2005

President Ronald Reagan created a "commandment" for Republicans. It states that no Republican shall speak ill of any other Republican. Reagan created the 11th Commandment to promote unity and to minimize dissension within Republican ranks.