What's an Illinois voter to do?

[PLAL]

You’ll have to write it in. Randy didn’t gain enough sigs.

Not that I could ever be accused of being an ILGOP apologist (I represent the other side); but Ryan didn’t decide to step down because the ILGOP powers that be told him to. He decided to remove himself from the mess when his own polling showed that his base was appalled by the sex club stories.

Had he been a Dem., he may have been OK. The Dems in IL tend to be more urban and to take a somewhat laisez faire attitude toward the sexual habits of others; but the ILGOP is an uneasy coalition between values voters and pro-business sorts (though as wh–, er um, people of easy virtue these business types are tending to break toward the Dems as they see which way the wind is currently blowing).

Now, what mysterious psychosis seized upon the Central Committee causing them to name Keyes, I’ve no idea. Don’t see why they couldn’t have named Brady or some such to the ballot. Even if he lost against the Obama steam-roller, he would’ve gained some name recognition for this year’s Senate race.

Can’t blame Topinka for that. From what I heard, she acted as an honest broker at the meeting that chose Keyes.

I think a under the table deal was made between the conservative Republicans in IL (Keyes camp) and the more liberal wing of the IL Republicans (Topinka camp). I think a deal was made that the Topinka camp would allow Keyes to run as the Republican representative for US Senator, as long as the Conservative Republicans allowed Topinka to be the Republican nominee for IL Governor.

In the Republican primary, all of the conservative Republican votes were split between two candidates which allowed the liberal wing of the Republican Party (Topinka) to win the Republican nominee for IL Governor.

I think this whole thing was an undercover deal to satisfy both wings of the Republican IL Party. That’s just what I think and I have no proof of this.

 

[a_cermak]

I think a under the table deal was made between the conservative Republicans in IL (Keyes camp) and the more liberal wing of the IL Republicans (Topinka camp). I think a deal was made that the Topinka camp would allow Keyes to run as the Republican representative for US Senator, as long as the Conservative Republicans allowed Topinka to be the Republican nominee for IL Governor.

In the Republican primary, all of the conservative Republican votes were split between two candidates which allowed the liberal wing of the Republican Party (Topinka) to win the Republican nominee for IL Governor.

I think this whole thing was an undercover deal to satisfy both wings of the Republican IL Party. That’s just what I think and I have no proof of this.

Much as I like a good conspiracy story, I kind of doubt that such a “deal” was struck. First of all, neither side particularly trusts one another, so I doubt if they would have taken each others word. Otherwise all anyone would have to do is threaten to make the deal public (granted this would have had a MAD effect). Plus primaries aren’t really closed in IL, so anyone with the ability to gather sigs can get on a GOP ballot or DEM ballot, which means that even had the moderates agreed, they couldn’t have kept miscellaneous moderates (e.g. Mark Kirk) from running and spoiling Topinka’s chances.

Brady is an up and comer and he was never going to wait forever for the Eternal Gadfly (Obie) to stop running for every top race on the ballot. I’ve yet to meet a politician who cared for any cause more than their own self advancement (well, until they get where they want to be, then they might become statesmen).

 

[StufflebeamRC]

My fellow Pro-Lifers,

Rest assured that I am 100% Pro-Life, from conception to natural death.

I apologize that this might not have been made clear through the discussion of personhood on my website.

It is my position that not only life, but also personhood begins at conception. The reason for this important distinction is that very few people can truly argue that, that which is in the woman’s womb is not a life. However, the argument from the pro-aborts is that the unborn child is not a person until that child exits from the womb to be born. Thus if it is not a person, it does not warrant the fullest protection of the law.

According to the 14th Amendment to the Constitution if the United States:

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; **nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. **

The 14th Amendment is the reason why it is so important to understand the personhood issue. If the unborn child is defined as not being a person prior to the moment of birth (which is why the over use terms such as blob of flesh, fetus, etc…) then there is no protection for the life within the mother’s womb because it is not a person.

However, if personhood is conferred up a human being from the moment of conception, then it is afforded the protection of the 14th amendment of not being deprived of life without due process of law. In other words, unless the unborn PERSON is found to be guilty of a capital crime, it is against the Constitution of the United States and therefore a crime to abort (kill, murder) the unborn person.

Remember, in the United States of America, to kill a person without due process of law, is murder.

Again, this is why the personhood issue is so vitally important to be understood in term of a Pro-Life position and why I believe that we need to ensure that personhood is absolutely conferred on the unborn child at the moment of conception.

I hope this helps to clarify my Pro-Life position and that I haven’t muddied the waters further. There are a couple of questionnaires that I answered regarding the Pro-Life issues which may also help to provide more information and further clarify my position. You can find those questionnaires at:

runrandyrun.com/Q&A/questionnaires.htm.

If you have any further questions or would like further information, you can contact me at:

StufflebeamRC@runrandyrun.com.

May God richly bless you and guide you as you consider your duty at the polls this November the 7th, in the year of our Lord, 2006.

Randall C. Stufflebeam
Chairman and
Gubernatorial Candidate
Constitution Party of Illinois

 

[chicago]

We Catholics have been encouraged to vote and be a part of the process. What has been suggested is that we vote for the least objectionable candidate. The reason is simple enough–if we don’t vote we are tacitly giving a vote to the worse candidate. And if we vote for the least objectionable, we at least may get some of what we want in a political leader. Of course, we can also get involved in one of the parties to work towards getting candidates that do more fully represent our values as Catholics.

That’s a simplistic apologetic which doesn’t consider real politik and to what extent things may be pushed here or there within party systems. You don’t know Judy. You don’t know the Illinois Republican Party. It ain’t no group of conservatives. It’s ultimately run by the same kind of elitist lefties who control Northeastern Republicanism.

 

[chicago]

I was REALLY hoping that James Meeks would have run. He could have had a lot more support than one might realize. I certainly would have voted for him!

 

[YinYangMom]

I am ready to write in Stufflebeam **mostly **because I cannot stomach either major party candidate but also because I doubt the third party can win.

I want the Republicans and the Democrats to see how many constituents place pro-life issue at the top of their priorities.

We’ve go to get some solid numbers on the boards in order to get the attention of the two parties so that their senators and representatives can start sweating.

Imagine returns of 36% Dem or Rep, 29% for the other, and 35% PRO LIFE write in! Illinois politicians would have to listen.

And, heck, what if we really got out to the polls for a change (that’s the **real **challenge) - the write in might even win. Imagine **that **message! I don’t believe any pro-life third party candidate could hurt as any more in the area of jobs/economy/health than what we’ve already gone through.

 

[chicago]

Imagine returns of 36% Dem or Rep, 29% for the other, and 35% PRO LIFE write in! Illinois politicians would have to listen.

Yeah, imagine that! Because you’ll never actually see it. Even if you had an alternative candidate on the ballot, he probably wouldn’t get anywhere near that much of a percentage. Add the difficulty of practically going through the correct proceedures of voting write-in, and he’ll be quite fortunate if he can break the 1% barrier, realistically. Not that it isn’t a noble effort, but still, at best it will be a novelty side story on election night.

 

[YinYangMom]

Yeah, imagine that! Because you’ll never actually see it. Even if you had an alternative candidate on the ballot, he probably wouldn’t get anywhere near that much of a percentage. Add the difficulty of practically going through the correct proceedures of voting write-in, and he’ll be quite fortunate if he can break the 1% barrier, realistically. Not that it isn’t a noble effort, but still, at best it will be a novelty side story on election night.

Yeah, I used to believe that…
Until Relevant Radio and the Drew Mariani show…
Look what was accomplished with the American Girl Doll campaign…
and the Terry Schiavo situation…

If we Illinois Catholics could coordinate our efforts to write in one name at the polls for Governor then, granted, it won’t be enough to change the game…I know that…
but it just might be enough for the Dems and the Repubs to take notice.

It’s an opportunity to stand and be counted For Life…
a rare opportunity we have because both the Dem and the Repub candidates are 90%+ pro-choice **and **neither has a viable plan to solve our state problems.

Here we are talking about voting responsibility…
Here we are faced with one of those prime scenarios…
So now’s the time to put our votes where our mouths were at the presidential election. We really have nothing to lose.

Just a thought…I think I’ll go email Drew now…don’t know if he could do anything about it without getting Relevant Radio in trouble though…

 

[chicago]

If we Illinois Catholics could coordinate our efforts to write in one name at the polls for Governor then, granted, it won’t be enough to change the game…I know that…
but it just might be enough for the Dems and the Repubs to take notice.

Yeah, “if”. Would never happen, particularly considering that the majority of Illinois Catholics are probably contented Democrats (or to a likely lesser extent) Republicans who will dutifully vote for their party’s candidates.

It’s an opportunity to stand and be counted For Life…
a rare opportunity we have because both the Dem and the Repub candidates are 90%+ pro-choice **and **neither has a viable plan to solve our state problems.

Only about 7% of voters vote on that issue, overall. And write-in voting is a very difficult road. Again, if you had James Meeks running 3rd party, maybe there would have been something going.

Here we are talking about voting responsibility…
Here we are faced with one of those prime scenarios…
So now’s the time to put our votes where our mouths were at the presidential election. We really have nothing to lose.

And, unfortunately, there’s really no good way to deal with it effectively under the circumstances.

Just a thought…I think I’ll go email Drew now…don’t know if he could do anything about it without getting Relevant Radio in trouble though…

I’d doubt Drew can do much with Illinois politics. But it could be comical if he tried.

Ever listen to Scott Thomas? At least he’s local and has an honest grasp of these things.

 

[Lrning]

Does anyone know if we need to get a special ballot prior to election day to do a write-in? I don’t want to get caught short on voting day.

 

[StufflebeamRC]

Thank you for asking about how to do the write-in. The following instructions are from the backside of the 1/3 sheet flyers available from the website, www.RunRandyrun.com.

The most important thing to remember is to talk to the election judge to ensure that your write-in vote will count.

Randy

===================

Write-in
Instructions

Stufflebeam
For
Governor

Voting for Randy Stufflebeam is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Step 1: Ask the election judge to see the list of write-in candidates.

If you don’t see the name Stufflebeam on the list, have the election judge contact the County Clerk to verify that Stufflebeam IS A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE. Otherwise, the election judge may not count the vote.

The required form (Declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, SBE No. P-1F) was filed prior to September 24, 2006.

Step 2: Find the write-in block of the ballot. In the space provided write:

R A N D Y S T U F F L E B E A M

Step 3: Make sure to check the box next to the name.

NOTE: If you have any questions or are unsure about any aspect of writing in Stufflebeam on the ballot to make sure it counts, ASK the Election Judge!

NOTE: You are allowed to take this piece of literature (as well as your other notes) with you into the voting booth when you vote!

NOTE: By law, the election judge is supposed to make an honest attempt to ascertain the voter’s intent. Illinois law says that in order for the election to be able to determine the voter’s intent, the write-in must include first and last name.

NOTE: Please write neatly!

 

[a_cermak]

Definitely take the sheet in with you. I did a write-in for my Congresscritter last time and took the sheet in. No worries, in fact one of the Judges wanted to have my instruction when I left so he could answer any write-in type questions.

Which goes to the next point. Try not to rely on the election judges. In IL we are rolling out a lot of new voting equipment, and the judges, I suspect, are going to have their hands full dealing with that. Furthermore, they are not always conversant with how to deal with “unusual” circumstances (such as write-ins). I’m not bashing the judges, they work for paltry wages (it’s essentially volunteer work with an honorarium) and are not sufficiently trained, plus they’re expected to handle any and all emergencies that occur during the voting day.

 

[chicago]

Which goes to the next point. Try not to rely on the election judges. In IL we are rolling out a lot of new voting equipment, and the judges, I suspect, are going to have their hands full dealing with that. Furthermore, they are not always conversant with how to deal with “unusual” circumstances (such as write-ins). I’m not bashing the judges, they work for paltry wages (it’s essentially volunteer work with an honorarium) and are not sufficiently trained, plus they’re expected to handle any and all emergencies that occur during the voting day.

Not to mention how many of them are basically patronage workers for the pols.

 

[PLAL]

**RFFM.org **
**NEWS – EXCLUSIVE **
**Daniel T. Zanoza, National Director **
Dan@rffm.org

http://www.rffm.org/default.htm

**October 4, 2006 **

**IFRL PAC Endorses Stufflebeam for Governor: Decision has Historical Implications for Illinois Politics **

SPRINGFIELD, IL – In a newsletter published on Tuesday, October 3rd, the Illinois Federation for Right to Life’s PAC (Political Action Committee) announced it was endorsing the gubernatorial campaign of Constitutional Party candidate Randy Stufflebeam. According to a spokesman for the IFRL PAC, a formal press statement announcing the organization’s endorsement will be released before the week’s end.

The IFRL PAC’s support of Stufflebeam demonstrates a seed change in Illinois politics. For the first time, a major pro-life organization is endorsing a third party candidate. Also, Stufflebeam did not gain ballot status, giving more significance to the IFRL PAC endorsement. A source told RFFM.org this is a ground-shaking development in the political matrix in this state. The Republican source, who requested anonymity, said, “The IFRL PAC’s endorsement goes far beyond the pro-life issue. It means the party will have to rethink its nomination process and pay more attention to the wishes of the GOP’s conservative political base.”

Judy Baar Topinka, the Republican nominee for governor, has come under heavy criticism from social conservatives regarding her liberal stand on many pro-family issues. From Baar Topinka’s position on same-sex marriage, which she approves; to her unwavering support for abortion rights, the long time Republican standard-bearer continues to run afoul of the GOP’s conservative base–which some say represents as much as 25% of the Republican Party’s steadfast membership. But in some years Baar Topinka has survived when all other statewide Republican candidates have failed in election bids. Many believe the current state Treasurer was promoted by the Republican establishment because it was her due.

The IFRL PAC endorsement is sure to cast huge waves across the political waters in Illinois. Though Stufflebeam faces a near impossible task as a write-in candidate, some believe the IFRL PAC’s endorsement demonstrates outstanding adherence to principle by the pro-life organization.

For other IFRL PAC endorsements go to: ifrl-pac.com/elections/2006/endorsements/

 

[Sheeniac]

Did he not get enough signatures to get on the ballot?

Juli

 

[PLAL]

Pro-family friends,

Would you be willing to send the following announcement to your email list of like-minded friends?

---

IFI’s Voter’s Guides Are Here!

---

This Thursday and Friday from 10am to 7pm and Saturday from 9am to 4pm, you can pick up Voter’s Guides at IFI’s office located at 799 Roosevelt Road, Suite 3-208 in Glen Ellyn during our 2006 General Election Voter’s Guide Kickoff.

The office is located west of I-355 on the left (the office complex with the bronze windows; our Building, # 3, is right in the middle of the complex).

Our nonpartisan guides are designed to help you pick candidates who best represent you. Just answer the questions and compare your answers to theirs!

At our Voter’s Guide Kickoff you can pick up a single copy for yourself, or multiple copies for distribution at your church or in your neighborhood. If you are picking up for your church, we urge you to call ahead to make sure we have not already delivered copies for distribution to your church. Please call 630-790-8370.

The Illinois Family Institute’s Voter’s Guide is also available online at

illinoisfamily.org/content/img/f29586/IFIVoterGuidebook.pdf.

Thank you!

 

[YinYangMom]

Well on our ballots we’ll see:

Blagojevich

Topinka

Whitney

Guess I’ll have to write in Stufflebeam, if I get such an option.

Anyone know how the Lt. Governer race stands on the 5 non-negotiables???

 

[a_cermak]

Anyone know how the Lt. Governer race stands on the 5 non-negotiables???

You don’t elect the Lt. Gov separately. It’s a package deal. Except, possibly for the case of Stuff because he’s a write-in. I guess then, if you care, for completeness, you can fill in a write-in for Lt. Gov. It doesn’t really matter, because, I believe, Randy would get to choose his Lt Gov (in the unlikely case that he wins) with the consent of the state Senate (would be an interesting spectacle).

 

[YinYangMom]

You don’t elect the Lt. Gov separately. It’s a package deal. Except, possibly for the case of Stuff because he’s a write-in. I guess then, if you care, for completeness, you can fill in a write-in for Lt. Gov. It doesn’t really matter, because, I believe, Randy would get to choose his Lt Gov (in the unlikely case that he wins) with the consent of the state Senate (would be an interesting spectacle).

Geez…how odd…
I’m a transplant from CA…10 years in IL is just scratching the surface of the political process here but I must say I find it very confusing compared to what I grew up with. The lack of information about candidates is astounding compared to CA where one is bombarded with daily postcards/pamphlets and what nots - not just from the parties but from all those PACs and organizations. Here it’s just dismal…even the hype is absent. Money for TV ads just isn’t being spent where I am because I’m not in Chicago or a large suburb.

Anyway, thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut. Sure will be interesting how this all turns out.

 

[StufflebeamRC]

You don’t elect the Lt. Gov separately. It’s a package deal. Except, possibly for the case of Stuff because he’s a write-in. I guess then, if you care, for completeness, you can fill in a write-in for Lt. Gov. It doesn’t really matter, because, I believe, Randy would get to choose his Lt Gov (in the unlikely case that he wins) with the consent of the state Senate (would be an interesting spectacle).

You are right about electing the Governor and Lt. Governor together.

However, I do have a Lt. Governor running mate, Randy White. I couldn’t be more pleased with a running mate than I am with Randy. You can find out more about him from the website:

runrandyrun.com/RandyWhite