IFI E-Alert: Birkett Contradicts IL-GOP Line that Andy McKenna Did Not Recruit Him to Run on Topinka Ticket; Call Birkett to Discourage Run on Liberal Ticket
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
By Peter LaBarbera, IFI Executive Director
Breaking news/EXCLUSIVE: DuPage State's Attorney Joe Birkett, prospective running mate of Judy Baar Topinka, confirmed in a conversation with IFI that he received an early morning call from GOP Chairman Andy McKenna urging him to join Topinka's ticket. This directly contradicts a statement from IL-GOP Executive Director John Tsarpolis, speaking for McKenna, who told IFI that McKenna did NOT place a call Birkett or in any way try to recruit him to run with Topinka.
"Clearly, he was encouraging me to run," Birkett said in a phone interview this morning. He said he received a call from McKenna "early in the morning ... around 7:00 a.m.," with a message "urging me to call back." Birkett said McKenna told him that "I know you spoke with Judy [Baar Topinka] and it would be a good idea for you to join the ticket."
When told that IL-GOP's Tsarpalas had said that McKenna never called him or recruited him and that somebody is lying about what happened, Birkett said, "I'm not lying ... This will be cleared up before the morning's over."
IFI and other pro-family and pro-life groups are calling on McKenna and the the state Republican Party to stop promoting a socially liberal candidate for governor, and to come clean about efforts to assist her candidacy. IL-GOP leaders claim neutrality in the race, but States Attorney Joe Birkett--on the verge of announcing that he will become Judy Baar Topinka's running mate--said on Sunday that Chairman McKenna asked him to join Topinka's ticket as candidate for Lieutenant Governor.
Meanwhile, Illinois Family Institute has learned that a poll commissioned by the IL-GOP--which was used to show that Topinka had an insurmountable lead--was based on only 170 potential GOP primary voters. That renders the poll's findings relating to the GOP primary statistically "worthless," said one person with 30 years experience in the market research business.
TAKE ACTION: If you are a Republican or have voted Republican in the past, please stand up for putting moral principles before political expediency in the GOP:
Background: Birkett: McKenna asked him to join Topinka
On Sunday at the Christmas party co-sponsored by TAPROOT Republicans and the Illinois Center-Right Coalition, Birkett revealed that McKenna and other IL-GOP leaders had called to recruit him to join Topinka's ticket. That would contradict public pronouncements of neutrality by the party. Birkett also said he was called three times by former GOP Governor Jim Edgar to be Topinka's running mate.
Mr. Birkett has distinguished himself as a fighter in DuPage County for pro-life and pro-family values, including his support of library porn filters to protect children from predators and parental notification on abortion. (However, Birkett did once raise pro-family eyebrows by allowing his campaign workers to work the crowd for votes at a Chicago "gay pride" parade.)
Judy Baar Topinka, who is "pro-choice," has distinguished herself as a crusader for the homosexual cause, proudly fielding a large contingent at the annual Chicago homosexual "pride" parade and supporting Illinois' new "sexual orientation" law, which IFI and other groups believe will be used to restrict the freedom of conscience for people of faith.
If Joe Birkett follows through and joins Topinka, he would join St. Sen. Steve Rauschenberger in lending his pro-life and pro-family credentials to help elect a pro-"choice," pro-"civil unions" candidate. (Rauschenberger stunned obervers by ending his race for governor to team up as the running mate of Chicago businessman Ron Gidwitz.)
GOP Neutrality?
Many pro-life and pro-family voters are deeply disappointed that senior IL-GOP leaders appear to have abandoned neutrality in this race. The effort to recruit pro-life conservative and three-term State's Attorney Joe Birkett to balance off the liberal Topinka in her race for governor is seen as evidence of the IL-GOP's bias toward the liberal (so-called moderate) wing of the party.
On Dec. 9, the Chicago Sun-Times reported:
Tsarpalas also discounts Birkett's version of how he came to the brink of becoming Topinka's running mate as a candidate for Lietenant Governor.
According to four people who attended the TAPROOT-ICRC Christmas party on Sunday, Birkett said that he was recruited to be Topinka's running mate via a full-court press by Jim Edgar and the party's VIP's--including Chairman McKenna.
Here's an account of the event by GOP activist Dave Diersen, who attended the event [Note: I highly recommend signing up for Dierson's IL-GOP-News e-mail if you are a Republican--PL; emphasis added]:
The following account of the TAPROOT event was sent by Matt Barber, a DuPage County campaign aide to GOP gubernatorial candidate Jim Oberweiss, who engaged in an impromptu debate of sorts with Birkett:
In an interview, IL-GOP Executive Director John Tsarpalas denied that there has been any effort by the Republican Party or its chairman, Andy McKenna, to recruit Joe Birkett into the race to run with Topinka.
Furthermore, Tsarpalas said that McKenna did not call Birkett regarding the run with Topinka, but that Birkett called McKenna--something clearly at odds with Birkett's remarks at the TAPROOT event. Tsarpalas said that it was Birkett who called McKenna to say he was interested in the Lietenant Governor's position, and the GOP Chairman offered comments that were "encouraging in a general way"--as he would for any prospective Republican candidate.
"Andy has always taken the line that we are neutral," Tsarpalas told IFI. "He was encouraging to Joe but not recruiting for Topinka."
Many conservative are not buying the claim of the IL-GOP's neutrality in this race. In an essay titled, "How Many Lies Will It Take to Put Topinka in the Mansion?"--Renew Illinois' "Topinka Tattler" had this to say, citing the Sun-Times' report on deep GOP involvement in helping Topinka:
Meanwhile, Illinois Family Institute has learned that a poll commissioned by the IL-GOP--which was used to show that Topinka had an insurmountable lead--was based on only 170 potential GOP primary voters. That renders the poll's findings relating to the GOP primary statistically "worthless," said one person with 30 years experience in the market research business.
The IL-GOP poll, obtained yesterday by IFI, was unveiled at a recent meeting between GOP Chairman McKenna and the leading GOP candidates for governor. It found that Judy Baar Topinka held a sizeable lead over the other candidates in the GOP primary. The problem is: the part of the poll showing this only surveyed 170 Republican and Independent voters were said they were "very likely" or "somewhat likely" to vote in the GOP primary in March.
According to our expert in market research, a survey that small is "not a statistically valid study."
Poll results
Of the 170 potential primary voters surveyed in that part of the poll, 66 said they would vote for Topinka; 21 for Jim Oberweiss; 10 for St. Sen. Steve Rauschenberger (who since has left the GOP gubernatorial race to run for Lieutentant Governor as Ron Gidwitz's running mate; 6 for Gidwitz; 5 for St. Sen. Bill Brady; and 62 undecided.
The IL-GOP poll, conducted by McGlauphlin @ Associates, surveyed only 400 likely general election voters, which would yield an accuracy rate of +/- 5 percent. But in whittling down the 400 voters to those who would likely vote in the GOP primary, the number surveyed was reduced to just 170.
The accuracy rate on such a small sample as 170 is 7.5-8 percent, according to our market research expert. But he stressed that it is foolhardy to claim those results are meaninful.
"The sample size is entirely too small to break out and to analyze the subsample [i.e., the 170 potential GOP primary voters surveyed] with any any statistical validity," he said.
"The methodology of the poll is questionable especially because this is a general election sample versus a primary voter sample," he said.
He said generally in polling, any survey with less than 350 responses is "statistically worthless" and wondered why the GOP didn't at least poll 400 likely GOP primary voters.
John Tsarpalas of the IL-GOP said in an interview with IFI that the poll was not intended to benefit Topinka and that the only reason they didn't go after a larger primary voter survey sample was that it was too expensive.
"This was a cheap poll," he said, "so we only got a small sample. Why didn't we get a bigger sample? We didn't have the money!" he said.
Tsarpalas said the party paid $10,000 for the poll.
Despite the IL-GOP's assertions, a staffer with a non-Topinka gubernatorial candidate said he suspects the poll--which showed a greater Topinka lead than previous reported polls on the race--used "invalid methods to achieve a desired result."
Head-to-head results
In surveying all 400 potential voters on head-to-head prospects of potential GOP candidates against Gov. Blagojevich, the IL-GOP found:
Total votes: 400
Gov. Blagojevich: 143 vs. Judy Baar Topinka: 152
Gov. Blagojevich: 160 vs. Jim Oberweis: 132
Gov. Blagojevich: 158 vs. Steve Rauschenberger: 109
Gov. Blagojevich: 163 vs. Ron Gidwitz: 131
[IFI's incomplete copy of the poll results does not include findings of a prospective race between Gov. Blagojevich and Bill Brady/]
A PDF copy of the IL-GOP poll obtained by IFI can be seen reproduced on Dave Dierson's Illinois GOP website, in the "Downloads" section.
IFI will have more on the poll and GOP-governor's race neutrality story on our website and in future e-mails.
Addendum: Pro-Family Leader defends exposing truth in IL-GOP
The following message from Lidia Down, Executive Director of the Family Taxpayers Network, was sent to Illinois Family Institute after a conservative pro-family leader in Illinois questioned IFI's "motives" and "agenda" in publishing this story--i.e., getting to the bottom of whether and how the IL-GOP has broken its promise to be neutral in the GOP gubernatorial race.
As a longtime pro-family conservative, I have constantly strived to pursue the truth, even if that might not serve the immediate interests of leaders in the GOP or any political party. Although I have almost always voted for Republican candidates, I commend all of you who likewise will not sacrifice godly moral principles to be "Republican-first-ers." Only when corruption is exposed--in both major parties--will the road be cleared for rapid gains in the Illinois pro-family movement.--Peter LaBarbera, Ilinois Family Institute.
Letter from Lidia Downs, Family Taxpayers Network:
Helpful Online Resources
Dave Dierson's Daily Illinois GOP News E-mail: This is a must-read if you are a pro-family Republican in Illinois; you can sign up by either putting your e-mail address in the "Sign Up Newsletter" box on the left side of this website, or simply send Dave an e-mail at diersen@aol.com and ask him to add you to his list. The e-mail comes out daily and contains links to all the important news of the day dealing with Republican and conservative politics.
"How Many Lies Will It Take to Put Topinka in the Mansion?" (Essay in Renew Illinois' "Topinka Tattler")
Renew Illinois (affiliated with Family Taxpayers Network; publishes "Topinka Tattler")
Family Taxpayers Network
Blog posting by pro-life leader Jill Stanek, on the new blog Illinoiz, relating to this story
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State's Attorney Joe Birkett says he is not lying regarding IL-GOP Chief Andy McKenna's phone call to him--to recruit him as Judy Baar Topinka's running mate. We believe Birkett, but we urge him not to help pro-choice, anti-family politicians get elected. Few Republicans are buying the IL-GOP's claim that it is a "neutral" bystander in the governor's race. |
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Breaking news/EXCLUSIVE: DuPage State's Attorney Joe Birkett, prospective running mate of Judy Baar Topinka, confirmed in a conversation with IFI that he received an early morning call from GOP Chairman Andy McKenna urging him to join Topinka's ticket. This directly contradicts a statement from IL-GOP Executive Director John Tsarpolis, speaking for McKenna, who told IFI that McKenna did NOT place a call Birkett or in any way try to recruit him to run with Topinka.
"Clearly, he was encouraging me to run," Birkett said in a phone interview this morning. He said he received a call from McKenna "early in the morning ... around 7:00 a.m.," with a message "urging me to call back." Birkett said McKenna told him that "I know you spoke with Judy [Baar Topinka] and it would be a good idea for you to join the ticket."
When told that IL-GOP's Tsarpalas had said that McKenna never called him or recruited him and that somebody is lying about what happened, Birkett said, "I'm not lying ... This will be cleared up before the morning's over."
IFI and other pro-family and pro-life groups are calling on McKenna and the the state Republican Party to stop promoting a socially liberal candidate for governor, and to come clean about efforts to assist her candidacy. IL-GOP leaders claim neutrality in the race, but States Attorney Joe Birkett--on the verge of announcing that he will become Judy Baar Topinka's running mate--said on Sunday that Chairman McKenna asked him to join Topinka's ticket as candidate for Lieutenant Governor.
Meanwhile, Illinois Family Institute has learned that a poll commissioned by the IL-GOP--which was used to show that Topinka had an insurmountable lead--was based on only 170 potential GOP primary voters. That renders the poll's findings relating to the GOP primary statistically "worthless," said one person with 30 years experience in the market research business.
TAKE ACTION: If you are a Republican or have voted Republican in the past, please stand up for putting moral principles before political expediency in the GOP:
1) Call and write Joe Birkett and urge him to reverse course and NOT become the running mate for any candidate who espouses anti-family positions. Tell him that he risks endangering his pro-life and pro-family reputation by helping to elect a "pro-choice" candidate who has gained notoriety throughout the state for avidly supporting the homosexual cause.
Joe Birkett
Campaign Number: 630-690-7100
Email: info@joebirkett.com
Address: Joe Birkett, P.O. Box 792, Wheaton, IL 60187.
2) It is obvious that the Illinois GOP leadership is not "neutral" in the governor's race. Write or call IL-GOP Chairman Andy McKenna and the Illinois Republican Party and urge them to support a pro-life and pro-family candidate for governor. Tell the party to STOP favoring the candidacy of anyone who is pro-abortion "rights" and/or pro-homosexual-agenda. If the IL-GOP will not support an openly pro-life and pro-family conservative candidate, tell them to at least to stay true to their pledge to be neutral in the gubernatorial primary race.
Chairman McKenna e-mail: amckenna@ilgop.org (if this bounces back, try faxing your letter or calling the IL-GOP)
IL-GOP Chicago Office
205 W. Randolph, Suite 1245
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: 312/201-9000
Fax: 312/201-0181
IL-GOP Springfield Office
P.O. Box 78, Springfield, IL 62705
Phone: 217/525-0011
Fax: 217/753-4712
Background: Birkett: McKenna asked him to join Topinka
On Sunday at the Christmas party co-sponsored by TAPROOT Republicans and the Illinois Center-Right Coalition, Birkett revealed that McKenna and other IL-GOP leaders had called to recruit him to join Topinka's ticket. That would contradict public pronouncements of neutrality by the party. Birkett also said he was called three times by former GOP Governor Jim Edgar to be Topinka's running mate.
Mr. Birkett has distinguished himself as a fighter in DuPage County for pro-life and pro-family values, including his support of library porn filters to protect children from predators and parental notification on abortion. (However, Birkett did once raise pro-family eyebrows by allowing his campaign workers to work the crowd for votes at a Chicago "gay pride" parade.)
Judy Baar Topinka, who is "pro-choice," has distinguished herself as a crusader for the homosexual cause, proudly fielding a large contingent at the annual Chicago homosexual "pride" parade and supporting Illinois' new "sexual orientation" law, which IFI and other groups believe will be used to restrict the freedom of conscience for people of faith.
If Joe Birkett follows through and joins Topinka, he would join St. Sen. Steve Rauschenberger in lending his pro-life and pro-family credentials to help elect a pro-"choice," pro-"civil unions" candidate. (Rauschenberger stunned obervers by ending his race for governor to team up as the running mate of Chicago businessman Ron Gidwitz.)
GOP Neutrality?
Many pro-life and pro-family voters are deeply disappointed that senior IL-GOP leaders appear to have abandoned neutrality in this race. The effort to recruit pro-life conservative and three-term State's Attorney Joe Birkett to balance off the liberal Topinka in her race for governor is seen as evidence of the IL-GOP's bias toward the liberal (so-called moderate) wing of the party.
On Dec. 9, the Chicago Sun-Times reported:
In the 24 hours since Rauschenberger agreed to drop his bid for governor and run for lieutenant governor with Gidwitz, a few key Republicans have pushed Birkett to run with Topinka. Edgar, state Republican Party chairman Andy McKenna and U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.) all lobbied Birkett to sign on with Topinka, several GOP sources confirmed.IL-GOP Executive Director John Tsarpalas told IFI that the Sun-Times story is not true, saying that his boss, Andy McKenna (a former GOP candidate for U.S. Senate), "was encouraging to all candidates but was not recruiting for Topinka."
Tsarpalas also discounts Birkett's version of how he came to the brink of becoming Topinka's running mate as a candidate for Lietenant Governor.
According to four people who attended the TAPROOT-ICRC Christmas party on Sunday, Birkett said that he was recruited to be Topinka's running mate via a full-court press by Jim Edgar and the party's VIP's--including Chairman McKenna.
Here's an account of the event by GOP activist Dave Diersen, who attended the event [Note: I highly recommend signing up for Dierson's IL-GOP-News e-mail if you are a Republican--PL; emphasis added]:
Birkett announced that he believes that Topinka will win the March 21 primary election (of course, Oberweis disagreed), that Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna was among the many who had asked him to run for Lt. Gov. with Topinka, and that he believes that all the members of the combine [powerful Republicans and Democrats in the political and business communities who are most concerned with controlling the financial side of politics] are Democrats. Many attendees expressed support for Birkett, but not for his decision to join the Topinka ticket. They expressed concern that the combine was using Birkett to advance its own agenda.Diersen's e-mail actually understates the strong conservative opposition at the TAPROOT event toward Birkett's apparent decision to run with Topinka. But each of the four people interviewed by this writer who attended the event confirmed that Birkett said McKenna called him as part of the effort to draft him into the race as Topinka's running mate.
The following account of the TAPROOT event was sent by Matt Barber, a DuPage County campaign aide to GOP gubernatorial candidate Jim Oberweiss, who engaged in an impromptu debate of sorts with Birkett:
*Birkett advised the conservative crowd that Judy Barr-Topinka's victory in the primary is a foregone conclusion, and that "everyone should start focusing on the general election in November." (Jim Oberweis vocally disagreed, as did nearly everyone in the room)IL GOP denies draft-Birkett-for-Topinka effort
*Birkett boasted that Illinois GOP Chairman Andy McKenna called him personally and asked him to run with Judy. This begs several questions:1) What is McKenna doing promoting the Topinka candidacy during a primary race?*Birkett also said that [former governor] Jim Edgar called him three times to ask him to run with Judy.
2) Shouldn't he remain neutral, or at least promote a pro-family candidate who supports the GOP platform?
2) Is McKenna on Topinka's campaign payroll for his services?
3) If not, is there some other form of quid pro quo involved? (at the event, Oberweiss asked Birkett if McKenna, Topinka, or others had offered to take care of Birkett's roughly $500,000 in [past] campaign debts if he ran with Topinka. Birkett denied that was the case.)
In an interview, IL-GOP Executive Director John Tsarpalas denied that there has been any effort by the Republican Party or its chairman, Andy McKenna, to recruit Joe Birkett into the race to run with Topinka.
Furthermore, Tsarpalas said that McKenna did not call Birkett regarding the run with Topinka, but that Birkett called McKenna--something clearly at odds with Birkett's remarks at the TAPROOT event. Tsarpalas said that it was Birkett who called McKenna to say he was interested in the Lietenant Governor's position, and the GOP Chairman offered comments that were "encouraging in a general way"--as he would for any prospective Republican candidate.
"Andy has always taken the line that we are neutral," Tsarpalas told IFI. "He was encouraging to Joe but not recruiting for Topinka."
Many conservative are not buying the claim of the IL-GOP's neutrality in this race. In an essay titled, "How Many Lies Will It Take to Put Topinka in the Mansion?"--Renew Illinois' "Topinka Tattler" had this to say, citing the Sun-Times' report on deep GOP involvement in helping Topinka:
So the Sun-Times says State Party Chairman Andy McKenna was closely involved with trying to recruit Joe Birkett. And they refer to "several" GOP sources.Statistically "Worthless" GOP Poll?
Joe Birkett has himself confirmed this story. In his remarks to attendees at a Christmas Party this past Sunday hosted by two conservative grassroots organizations, Birkett specifically stated that McKenna had in fact asked him to run with Topinka. Jim Oberweis was also at the event and upon hearing this statement, he asked Birkett for verification. Joe Birkett once again confirmed McKenna's role.
Now in any other state this would be the story. Everyone would be outraged that a State Party Chairman was getting involved in favoring one candidate over another in an open primary. A Party Chairman should be registering voters and working to grow the Party right now - getting ready to support whoever Republican voters choose in March. Andy shouldn't be wasting time helping to stack the deck.
Meanwhile, Illinois Family Institute has learned that a poll commissioned by the IL-GOP--which was used to show that Topinka had an insurmountable lead--was based on only 170 potential GOP primary voters. That renders the poll's findings relating to the GOP primary statistically "worthless," said one person with 30 years experience in the market research business.
The IL-GOP poll, obtained yesterday by IFI, was unveiled at a recent meeting between GOP Chairman McKenna and the leading GOP candidates for governor. It found that Judy Baar Topinka held a sizeable lead over the other candidates in the GOP primary. The problem is: the part of the poll showing this only surveyed 170 Republican and Independent voters were said they were "very likely" or "somewhat likely" to vote in the GOP primary in March.
According to our expert in market research, a survey that small is "not a statistically valid study."
Poll results
Of the 170 potential primary voters surveyed in that part of the poll, 66 said they would vote for Topinka; 21 for Jim Oberweiss; 10 for St. Sen. Steve Rauschenberger (who since has left the GOP gubernatorial race to run for Lieutentant Governor as Ron Gidwitz's running mate; 6 for Gidwitz; 5 for St. Sen. Bill Brady; and 62 undecided.
The IL-GOP poll, conducted by McGlauphlin @ Associates, surveyed only 400 likely general election voters, which would yield an accuracy rate of +/- 5 percent. But in whittling down the 400 voters to those who would likely vote in the GOP primary, the number surveyed was reduced to just 170.
The accuracy rate on such a small sample as 170 is 7.5-8 percent, according to our market research expert. But he stressed that it is foolhardy to claim those results are meaninful.
"The sample size is entirely too small to break out and to analyze the subsample [i.e., the 170 potential GOP primary voters surveyed] with any any statistical validity," he said.
"The methodology of the poll is questionable especially because this is a general election sample versus a primary voter sample," he said.
He said generally in polling, any survey with less than 350 responses is "statistically worthless" and wondered why the GOP didn't at least poll 400 likely GOP primary voters.
John Tsarpalas of the IL-GOP said in an interview with IFI that the poll was not intended to benefit Topinka and that the only reason they didn't go after a larger primary voter survey sample was that it was too expensive.
"This was a cheap poll," he said, "so we only got a small sample. Why didn't we get a bigger sample? We didn't have the money!" he said.
Tsarpalas said the party paid $10,000 for the poll.
Despite the IL-GOP's assertions, a staffer with a non-Topinka gubernatorial candidate said he suspects the poll--which showed a greater Topinka lead than previous reported polls on the race--used "invalid methods to achieve a desired result."
Head-to-head results
In surveying all 400 potential voters on head-to-head prospects of potential GOP candidates against Gov. Blagojevich, the IL-GOP found:
Total votes: 400
Gov. Blagojevich: 143 vs. Judy Baar Topinka: 152
Gov. Blagojevich: 160 vs. Jim Oberweis: 132
Gov. Blagojevich: 158 vs. Steve Rauschenberger: 109
Gov. Blagojevich: 163 vs. Ron Gidwitz: 131
[IFI's incomplete copy of the poll results does not include findings of a prospective race between Gov. Blagojevich and Bill Brady/]
A PDF copy of the IL-GOP poll obtained by IFI can be seen reproduced on Dave Dierson's Illinois GOP website, in the "Downloads" section.
IFI will have more on the poll and GOP-governor's race neutrality story on our website and in future e-mails.
Addendum: Pro-Family Leader defends exposing truth in IL-GOP
The following message from Lidia Down, Executive Director of the Family Taxpayers Network, was sent to Illinois Family Institute after a conservative pro-family leader in Illinois questioned IFI's "motives" and "agenda" in publishing this story--i.e., getting to the bottom of whether and how the IL-GOP has broken its promise to be neutral in the GOP gubernatorial race.
As a longtime pro-family conservative, I have constantly strived to pursue the truth, even if that might not serve the immediate interests of leaders in the GOP or any political party. Although I have almost always voted for Republican candidates, I commend all of you who likewise will not sacrifice godly moral principles to be "Republican-first-ers." Only when corruption is exposed--in both major parties--will the road be cleared for rapid gains in the Illinois pro-family movement.--Peter LaBarbera, Ilinois Family Institute.
Letter from Lidia Downs, Family Taxpayers Network:
Let's not forget the real issue here. The IFI message contained clear information with Joe Birkett as its source that there was/is an effort by the IL GOP to bolster Topinka's campaign. Birkett's revelation made it evident that the IL GOP, in the person of Chairman McKenna, wants Topinka to win. It makes little difference if McKenna called Birkett or if McKenna got a call from Birkett (which, by the way, Birkett placed at McKenna's urging). It seems that Tsarpalas is trying to cloud the real issue by casting doubt as to who called whom. It doesn't really matter.
More significantly, note that Birkett is quoted as saying, "Clearly he was encouraging me to run." According to Birkett, McKenna told him that it would be a good idea for him to join the ticket (with Topinka).
Topinka's liberal (not moderate) stand on many family issues, most notably abortion and the "gay rights" agenda, make her candidacy very problematic for a pro-family organization like IFI.
The behind-the-scenes backing by Chairman McKenna is also very problematic for a number of reasons. First, because Topinka's views are in direct conflict with the principles enumerated in the Republican Party platform. Also, because these tactics are those of the ethically-challenged elitist insiders that currently have a choke-hold on our State Party.
The IFI's agenda should be very clear to those who understand what is and has been happening in our state party and in conservative activism. It is appropriate for IFI to expose these matters. Conservatives and true Republicans have a right to know what is going on within the Topinka campaign and within the IL GOP.
As far as assuming or suspecting that this is an attempt to push McKenna and Tsarpalas out, remember that as office-holders within OUR party (and I for one still consider it my party), they are accountable for how they conduct themselves and for the direction they are taking the party.
It is interesting that IFI's motives were questioned rather than those of either McKenna or Tsarpalas, both of whom have given cause for doubts as to their own agendas.
--Lidia Downs, Family Taxpayers Network
Helpful Online Resources
Dave Dierson's Daily Illinois GOP News E-mail: This is a must-read if you are a pro-family Republican in Illinois; you can sign up by either putting your e-mail address in the "Sign Up Newsletter" box on the left side of this website, or simply send Dave an e-mail at diersen@aol.com and ask him to add you to his list. The e-mail comes out daily and contains links to all the important news of the day dealing with Republican and conservative politics.
"How Many Lies Will It Take to Put Topinka in the Mansion?" (Essay in Renew Illinois' "Topinka Tattler")
Renew Illinois (affiliated with Family Taxpayers Network; publishes "Topinka Tattler")
Family Taxpayers Network
Blog posting by pro-life leader Jill Stanek, on the new blog Illinoiz, relating to this story