With the GOP gains in the House last week, Republicans are transitioning into their House majority with a team of representatives facilitating this change. Four of Governor Palin's endorsees have been selected to be a part of this team:
House Republicans have tapped two newly elected congressmen who drew tea party backing in their campaigns to help lead the party's transition to power.
Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Tim Scott of South Carolina, who won endorsements by Sarah Palin and support from tea party activists, are part of a newly named 22-member team charged with crafting new rules and smoothing the GOP's shift from minority to majority.
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Two other freshmen, Cory Gardner of Colorado and Martha Roby of Alabama, are also on the roster.
Walden said he didn't choose the team based on whether they had tea party backing, telling reporters last week that he wasn't sure whether those he was recruiting were supported by the conservative-libertarian movement. "It's a nice cross-section of our Republican conference," he said of the group.
But it's clear Republicans are aware that the grass-roots movement that helped propel them to big wins in last week's elections will be an important part of their new House majority and bolstered Senate minority.
Congressman Walden of Oregon is acting as the leader of this team to help the GOP transition to power.While this may be a "cross-section" of Republicans, it cannot be overlooked that the four freshman House members tapped to assist in this transition were all endorsed by Governor Palin, as Gardner and Roby were also endorsed by Governor Palin. Couple this with the fact that Congresswoman Michele Bachmann is throwing her hat in the ring for GOP conference chair, it is obvious that Governor Palin chose to endorse not only strong candidates, but strong leaders. Governor Palin's endorsements made a huge impact on conservative gains in the House last week. Certain members of that House, such as Congressman Bauchus, would do well to take notice of his new colleagues, rather than wrongfully blame her for a Senatorial minority.
In the midst of a tidal wave of conservatism across the country, a blue state with occasional hints of purple, turned red on Tuesday. Illinois elected Mark Kirk to the Senate over Obama pal and former state treasurer, Alexi Giannoulias. Although Kirk is a moderate Republican, he is a fiscal conservative and has promised to vote against cap and tax legislation in the Senate, in spite of his support of it as a Congressman. As this seat was formerly occupied by now President Obama, Kirk is now the junior Senator from Illinois replacing Blagojevich appointed Roland Burris. Because Kirk is already seated, he can help block liberal legislation that the Senate tries to pass during the lame duck session.
A red hue replaces the blue shade of Illinois House members as four Illinois House seats flipped to the Republicans. Three of these were expected. One of these victories came from rising star, Adam Kinzinger, who handily defeated incumbent Debbie Halvorson. Kinzinger gave a rousing, yet humble victory speech last night:
Up and coming Republican Bobby Schilling defeated Phil "I don't care about the Constitution" Hare to win the 17th Congressional seat by ten points. Randy Hultgren defeated Bill Foster in the 14th District. In a bit of a surprise, Joe Walsh has defeated incumbent Democrat, Melissa Bean, although the race has not officially been called. Walsh leads Bean by less than 1,000 votes. If this result holds, this would mean that Illinois is represented by 11 Republicans compared to 8 Democrats.
Incumbent Republicans won fairly handily in the 6th, 10th, 13th,15th,16th,18th, and 19th Districts.
Although the ran strong campaigns and were deeply principled, Joel Pollak and Issac Hayes, lost their races in two deep blue districts.
One of Governor Palin's combat veteran endorsees, Congressman-elect Adam Kinzinger spoke humbly in his acceptance of victory over incumbent Debbie Halvorson, last night. Kinzinger promised to truly represent the people of central and north central Illinois, ensure that government lives with its means, and embrace the private sector ability to create jobs. He also spoke of his desire to work to repeal the health care reform bill, kill cap and trade legislation, and restore true representation to the 11th Congressional District of Illinois.
Illinois is poised to go red tonight with Republicans defeating incumbents in at least 3 Democratic districts! Captain Adam Kinzinger defeated incumbent, Debbie Halvorson by a resounding 15 points in the race for Illinois' 11th Congressional seat. On his Facebook page, Kinzinger writes, " Thanks to everyone for all of the hours you've dedicated over the last year to make this happen tonight. I won't let you down." Halvorson voted for the stimulus, cap and tax, and Obamacare, which Kinzinger would like to repeal.
On Fox Chicago Sunday today, Republican candidate for the 11th Congressional District spoke about repealing and replacing the health care "reform" bill, deficit reduction, the "stimulus" bill, and the Bush tax cuts:
Kinzinger is running against incumbent, Debbie Halvorson. A recent article in the Pantagraph highlights the stark contrasts between Kinzinger and Halvorson:
The campaigns are in stark contrast on many major issues. The congresswoman voted for the federal economic stimulus legislation and health care reform and favors allowing the Bush-era tax cuts to expire for wealthy Americans.
Her opponent has called the economic and health care legislation faulty ideas, characterizing each as big government overstepping its reach and increasing the nation's debt. He wants tax cuts extended for all taxpayers.
"People are frustrated with an economy that is slow to recover, and the congresswoman shares in that frustration," said Halvorson spokesman Anthony DeAngelo. But, people should take a step back and see that there's been nine consecutive months of private-sector job growth, so the country is moving in the right direction, he said.
Halvorson is looking to legislation that "moves forward to create new jobs and continues to invest in infrastructure and clean energy," which in turn would lead to more jobs and economic development, said DeAngelo.
The congresswoman also wants to close loopholes that encourage businesses to relocate overseas, he said.
Kinzinger says the key difference between him and his opponent is their view on how to turn the economy around: "Congresswoman Halvorson buys into this philosophy that jobs are created by the government," he said.
Congress and the president can foster an environment conducive to job growth, creating fair regulations and a positive tax structure, but it's entrepreneurs who need to actually create jobs, he said.
Government-funded job creation only adds to the national debt, Kinzinger has said.
The Republican also said that rather than blocking companies from moving overseas, the government should find ways to make staying here more attractive.
Four candidates endorsed by Governor Palin in the upcoming 2010 elections have made Time Magazine's top 40 under 40 list in their "new civic leaders" category. These candidates include Sean Duffy, Nikki Haley, Adam Kinzinger, and Marco Rubio. The article profiles each candidate individually. Here's what they had to say:
Duffy, 39, may be best known for his turn on MTV's The Real World or perhaps as a five-time world-champion log climber. But in northwestern Wisconsin, the Republican is thought of as the district attorney who cracked down on child sex crimes. That law-and-order rep has made him the front runner for the state's 7th Congressional District seat. And his clever television commercials, in which he out-lumberjacks his rivals, have gone viral.
Who is your political hero/inspiration? Ronald Reagan
If you weren't working in politics, what would you be doing? I loved my job as a prosecutor. If I wasn't running for Congress I'd still be a DA and a lumberjack competitor.
What's the most overlooked issue facing America these days? The most overlooked issue facing America is the economic nuclear bomb we have given to China thanks to Washington's inability to reign in spending. Our reliance on China to fund projects we can't afford does not come without serious national security implications.
Where do you see yourself professionally in five years? I'm a father and a husband first. In five years, I hope representing Wisconsin's 7th District will also be on that list.
Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants, may seem an unlikely figure to lead the rebirth of South Carolina's Republican Party. But when the stiletto-heeled 38-year-old bested three white men to win its gubernatorial nomination in June, she proved that the good-ol'-boy culture of Southern politics is no match for a charismatic conservative newcomer who promises to shake up the Palmetto State.
Who is your political hero/inspiration? Margaret Thatcher.
What's your go-to political blog? Redstate.
If you weren't working in politics, what would you be doing? I'd be back to my roots in small business.
What's the most overlooked issue facing America these days? Understanding that tax dollars don't belong to government, that people pay this money in and how elected officials spend it matters.
Where do you see yourself professionally in five years? Continuing to remind people the power of their voice and that elected officials work for the people, not the other way around.
As a sophomore in college, Kinzinger beat a three-term incumbent for a seat on the McLean County, Illinois, board of supervisors. Now, after a stint in Iraq with the Air Force, the 32-year-old Republican is taking on another Democratic incumbent, in the state's 11th Congressional District.
Who is your political hero/inspiration? I consider both Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan to be amazing political figures. During times of great national distress, both men saw beyond the current difficulties the Union was facing and knew that the American spirit would prevail. When I toured the Lincoln Library in Springfield, IL, I noticed something never before pointed out to me — the rapid aging of President Lincoln during his time in office, and the great stress his eyes showed during the height of the war. He made the difficult decision of leading a nation to unity, when he could have instead ended the war in quickly by simply accepting a divided Union. Similarly, President Reagan took over a nation overwhelmed by malaise, a stagnant economy, and an imposing Soviet power. He would not accept the status quo, and instead led the nation with a clear vision of where America could once again return.
If you weren't working in politics, what would you be doing? Flying planes for the Air Force. I still fly as a reservist, but had I not been running for Congress, I would be flying full time. It's quite a job!
What's the most overlooked issue facing America these days? Education. As we have seen, students are turning less and less to STEM areas of study (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). While it is good to have a wide variety of educated students, those core proficiencies are essential for us to maintain our technological edge and our manufacturing superpower status. America has the strongest economy in the world — bar none, but we must continue investing in our future in order to maintain that.
Where do you see yourself professionally in five years? That is not an easy question to answer. I hope to earn the trust of voters in November and am passionate about serving my District in Congress for a period of time — but only as long as that passion stays alive. I am committed to public service in some form, and whether that means holding elected office or not remains to be seen.
When he became Florida's youngest House Speaker, Rubio received a golden sword from then governor Jeb Bush — a gift that confirmed Rubio, now 39, as Bush's political heir. If the son of Cuban exiles can win the state's open Senate seat, he'll go from prodigy to bona fide conservative hero.
Who is your political hero/inspiration? Ronald Reagan
A recent poll conducted by the Hill shows that Adam Kinzinger has an 18 point lead over his opponent, Debbie Halvorson:
Right now, the outlook for Halvorson appears grim. The Hill/ANGA poll found she trails Kinzinger by 18 points — 49 percent to 31. Another 18 percent of likely voters remain undecided.
Kinzinger also leads among most major demographic groups. He’s ahead by 26 points among male voters and by 11 percent among females, and leads in all age groups by 10 points or more. Kinzinger also holds a wide lead with independent voters — 53 percent to 24.
Undecided voters lean toward the right; 27 percent described themselves as Republicans compared to 16 percent who said they are Democrats.
Kinzinger today also received the endorsement of the Chicago Tribune:
No place seems more ripe for change than the 11th District, which runs from the far southwest suburbs to Bloomington. You have to wonder how someone who is personally so chipper as Democratic Rep. Debbie Halvorson, of Crete, can run the contemptuous and condescending ad campaign she has against Adam Kinzinger. Based on the ads, you’d think Kinzinger, of Manteno, is both a callow youth and an old-hack pol. “Young man, you have no idea what you’re doing,” one guy says in an ad, as though Kinzinger is about to run off and join the circus. A Halvorson mailer photo-shopped Kinzinger in front of a flag of communist China. Oh, spare us.
So here’s the story. Adam Kinzinger is 32. He was elected at age 20 to the McLean County Board and served for five years. After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, he signed up for the Air Force. He was deployed twice to Iraq and flew missions into Afghanistan. (Just as an aside, he once disarmed a man who had attacked a woman with a knife in Madison, Wis.)
The young man has accomplished a great deal.
And yet Halvorson’s ads derisively dismiss him as a “politician.” Halvorson, take note, spent 12 years in the Illinois Senate and the last two years in the U.S. House. Red ink, meet red ink.
Kinzinger is one of the most impressive new candidates we have seen this year. He puts a premium on energy independence, on creating a climate that encourages business to create jobs, on finding new markets for the employers who put people to work in the 11th District. He makes a sure-footed defense of his conservative views. Kinzinger is endorsed.
Adam Kinzinger, candidate for the 11th District seat in Illinois, has been featured on Conservatives4Congress on several occasions.
Adam Kinzinger Receives the Endorsement of the Sun Times:
Adam Kinzinger is a mere 32 -- pretty darn young to be going off to Congress -- but he has compiled an impressive record of achievement in his last dozen years. His conservative politics are appropriate in the 11th District, which stretches from Joliet to Bloomington, and his solid work ethic and sensible ways could take him a long way in Washington. He's a compassionate young man who will let reason and a humanitarian impulse drive his decisions.
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We asked Kinzinger what he learned in Iraq. Off the cuff, he said this:
"I saw what it's like to live in an area that's just learning about freedom. . . . I appreciated what America represents. . . . We've got it pretty darn good."
Air Force Captain and McClean County board member Adam Kinzinger, an Iraq War veteran is on a mission to fire freshman Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson. He has received high-profile endorsements from Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney in this conservative-leaning district (R+1). He was even endorsed by the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune. Nate Silver gives this seat an 85% chance of takeover.
See here. The Illinois GOP Is Focused on Three Key Races:
As a small business owner, Greg Hopkins is frustrated by the nation’s sour economy and torn on how to vote in November.
Two years ago, he was among the voters who helped Democrat Debbie Halvorson win a seat in Congress from a traditionally Republican district southwest of Chicago. But Hopkins is unhappy with the results, particularly watching banks get a bailout while he struggled to find financing for his business.
“People are looking for a change that has been promised that didn’t come,” he said at his New Lenox store, A Cozy Fireplace.
Now Hopkins is thinking about voting for Halvorson’s challenger, a little-known Air Force pilot who has Sarah Palin’s endorsement.
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"“People are pretty frustrated in this district,” said Glenn Nixon, 40, a police officer who lives in Bourbonnais and is involved in the tea party movement. “Adam is sincere in his drive to serve America. He’s not going to kowtow. He’s going to make the hard decisions.”
Illinois Congressional Candidate Gets Portrayed as Hitler:
Kinzinger is running against Democratic incumbent Congresswoman, Debbie Halvorson. Halvorson has voted lock-step with Speaker Pelosi despite the fact that she ran as an "independent" thinker when elected in 2008. Although more than a month old, the most recent polling data show that Kinzinger has an eleven point lead over Halvorson.
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"Apparently, when some are trailing in a tough campaign, they feel the need to resort to extreme, horrific, and completely uncalled for measures, such as depicting your opponent and other conservatives such as Governor Palin and Glenn Beck as Nazis and chanting out, "outsource Adam, not our jobs". The Left proves its again as possessing no scruples."
Cross posted at Organize4Palin. If you can help promote a Palin supported candidate, please sign up at the site. There are several "bears" (aka candidates) that still need to be adopted.
As a small business owner, Greg Hopkins is frustrated by the nation’s sour economy and torn on how to vote in November.
Two years ago, he was among the voters who helped Democrat Debbie Halvorson win a seat in Congress from a traditionally Republican district southwest of Chicago. But Hopkins is unhappy with the results, particularly watching banks get a bailout while he struggled to find financing for his business.
“People are looking for a change that has been promised that didn’t come,” he said at his New Lenox store, A Cozy Fireplace.
Now Hopkins is thinking about voting for Halvorson’s challenger, a little-known Air Force pilot who has Sarah Palin’s endorsement.
Halvorson, along with Democrats in two other Illinois congressional districts, is fighting for survival against a wave of voter frustration. Republicans hope to capture the majority of Illinois seats for the first time in seven years, helping the national GOP win control of the U.S. House.
Polls, intensifying Tea Party presence and an anti-Democrat national mood suggest it’s possible. “It’s an important message to send to Obama: ’Here are some seats we’re going to take back that are right in your backyard,”’ said Tom Erickson, a National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman. “The failures of your administration are going to help take these seats back.”
Halvorson’s 11th District, which stretches from Chicago’s south suburbs to Bloomington, may be the Republicans’ chief target. Another is the 14th in Chicago’s western suburbs, where Rep. Bill Foster holds a seat once held by House Speaker Denny Hastert.
Finally, Republicans think they have a chance to defeat Rep. Phil Hare in the 17th, a sprawling district that includes both farm areas and small industrial cities like Decatur.
If Republicans take all three and no other seats change parties, the GOP would end up with 10 of Illinois’ 19 House seats.
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Halvorson got a whopping 58 percent that year, compared to 35 percent for her GOP opponent. Things aren’t looking so good for her now.
Political analysts say the district is likely to go Republican. Her challenger, 32-year-old Adam Kinzinger, has backing from Palin and tea party groups.
“People are pretty frustrated in this district,” said Glenn Nixon, 40, a police officer who lives in Bourbonnais and is involved in the tea party movement. “Adam is sincere in his drive to serve America. He’s not going to kowtow. He’s going to make the hard decisions.”
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The Democrats have tried to paint Republican candidates as extreme by calling attention to the unpopular ideas espoused by groups endorsing the challengers. Maybe Kinzinger wants to privatize Social Security, Halvorson suggests. Maybe Republican Bobby Schilling wants to eliminate the minimum wage, says Hare.
Hare won his seat in 2006 after Lane Evans retired, then he ran unopposed in 2008.
But that comfort level has been shaken, prompting Hare to run his first television ad in nearly four years. The Washington veteran’s ad scolds Washington for shipping American jobs overseas and accuses his opponent of backing trade deals and corporate tax breaks that would hurt workers further.
The challenger has targeted Hare’s vote for health care reform and his support for using an Illinois prison to house Guantanamo detainees, among other things. Schilling, who owns a pizzeria, said his focus is balancing the budget. He’s also pledged to reject any pay raises, use his own health insurance and serve only eight years.
“I’m not one of those Washington insiders,” he said. “People are looking for a clean break.” Like Hare, Foster sometimes sounds like the challenger, not the incumbent.
He voted against a Democratic budget and cap-and-trade-legislation. The physicist calls his opponent, state Sen. Randy Hultgren, a “career politician” and argues Hultgren’s work for an investment firm contributed to the national collapse of housing values.
Hultgren rejects those allegations and accuses Foster of not being visible in the district. “He’s not there listening to people,” said Hultgren.
Adam Kinzinger, candidate for the 11th District, has been covered on C4C on multiple occasions. See here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Bobby Schilling, candidate for the 17th District, has also been covered. See here and here.
Let's meet Randy Hultgren, candidate for the 14th District. Hultgren currently is serving the Illinois state senate. He has the endorsement of several pro-life and pro second amendment groups as well as backing from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. You can read more about Senator Hultgren here. His first election ad is displayed below.
As was reported over the weekend, in the race for the 11th Congressional district seat in Illinois, Adam Kinzinger was portrayed as a Nazi by supporters of his opponent, Debbie Halvorson, last week. Kinzinger has responded to these smears with this ad:
This seat is shown to be either leaning GOP or likely GOP by the Rothenberg Political Report, the 538 blog at the New York Times, CQ Roll Call, and Real Clear Politics. The Cook Political report has the seat as a toss up. Internal polling shows that Kinzinger is up 51-40 over Halverson. See more here.
In late March, Governor Palin endorsed a trio of veterans running for Congress. Among these was Adam Kinzinger, who is running for the 11th District seat in Illinois:
The second veteran is Captain Adam Kinzinger, a decorated special-operations pilot who flew combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Adam is running for Illinois’ 11th Congressional District against a freshman incumbent congresswoman who seemed to pull a bait and switch on voters to get elected. She sounded like a blue dog on the campaign trail, but didn’t vote like one in Washington. Instead, she voted in lockstep with the Pelosi agenda – on Obamacare, the stimulus, cap-and-tax – and the list goes on. She’s part of the reason for Congress’ 11% approval rating. Adam is a strong fiscal conservative with a proven track record as a reformer from his years serving on his local county board. Adam started out in local office, and, like many of us, believes in making government more accountable to the people. When you serve in local office, your constituents truly are your neighbors. Adam understands this, and I know that he will listen to his constituents and work for us, not against us, in Washington. Please visit Adam’s website here to make a donation to his campaign, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
It isn't too hard to see why Governor Palin endorsed Kinzinger:
Kinzinger is running against Democratic incumbent Congresswoman, Debbie Halvorson. Halvorson has voted lock-step with Speaker Pelosi despite the fact that she ran as an "independent" thinker when elected in 2008. Although more than a month old, the most recent polling data show that Kinzinger has an eleven point lead over Halvorson. Just over a month ago, though claiming no ill will, Halvorson fired her campaign manager, former Clinton campaign worker, Travis Worl. As a side note, Worl had falsely accused Kinzinger of lying about his military record. Halvorson then hired Julie Merz, a member of Halvorson's campaign team since March, as her campaign manager.
Apparently, when some are trailing in a tough campaign, they feel the need to resort to extreme, horrific, and completely uncalled for measures, such as depicting your opponent and other conservatives such as Governor Palin and Glenn Beck as Nazis and chanting out, "outsource Adam, not our jobs". The Left proves its again as possessing no scruples. From Big Government:
Gateway Pundit has identified one of the protesters as none other than Halvorson's newest campaign manager, Julie Merz, who, by the way, also once worked for Speaker Pelosi. Other protesters include Missouri Deputy Field Director for Obama's presidential campaign, Anna Markowski. The protesters, who were picketing against the Americans for Prosperity group in Joliet, ended their night by walking across the street to one of Halvorson's campaign offices. Pamela Gellar at Atlas Shrugs has a good refudiation of this campaign "tactic" and the complicit media (which Newsbusters also takes on). After all, if it wasn't for double standards, some liberals wouldn't have standards:
The Nazis are coming! That's what the national socialist party is howling. And that which they falsely accuse us of, they do with reckless abandon, painting leaders of the rational as Hitler. They painted Bush with the Hitler brush,and the shill media said nothing, did nothing, saw nothing. But they were only too happy to lie, manipulate images and photoshop pictures to smear and slander good people, accusing us of doing it to the sainted failure in the White House (go here and here). I vlogged their slander (go here to watch video with fauxtography and screenshots back in August 2009).
But now they are actually doing it, gleefully rubbing their hooves, and the silence of the media is deafening. They have no shame. When they deliberately won't report the news because it refudiates their narrative, they lie about it. Take a good hard look around, people: the enemy within, the fifth estate are destroying this country brick by brick, line by line, freedom by freedom.
This is Goebbels-style propaganda. Big Media is going down in flames.
“It was shocking to see the images displayed by protesters in Joliet this week. When I decided to run for office, I understood the nastiness of politics but never envisioned this kind of attack. Congresswoman Halvorson’s campaign has denied involvement, but video of protesters retiring to her office following the demonstration indicates otherwise. The campaign’s spokesman stated that Halvorson shares my concerns about the public display. If that is indeed the case, I respectfully ask that she use the evidence at hand to launch an investigation into the activities of her campaign and its participation in the Joliet protest, and take appropriate action.The following are questions that Congresswoman Halvorson and her campaign need to answer truthfully:
*Was the protest organized or sanctioned by Halvorson, the Illinois Democratic Party or the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee?
*Who are the individuals leading the protest and later seen with Team Halvorson?
*Are the individuals leading the protest staffers or volunteers for Debbie Halvorson?If not, why are they seen entering the Halvorson office after their protest and laughing with Campaign Manager Julie Merz?
It seems that more and more often Palin endorsed candidates have been"palinized"--maliciously treated, maligned, and misrepresented. We have said there are no more free shots allowed at Governor Palin. Shouldn't the same be said regarding those commonsense conservatives whom she supports? If you are able, please take the opportunity to support Kinzinger's campaign and signup at Organize4Palin to assist with Adam Kinzinger's and other Palin-endorsed campaigns.
