Showing posts with label 2nd Congressional District Illinois. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2nd Congressional District Illinois. Show all posts
BAMPAC Endorses Isaac Hayes for Congress
October 30, 2010 - Chicago - Isaac Hayes, the Republican nominee for U.S. House in the Second District of Illinois, was endorsed today by Black America’s Political Action Committee (BAMPAC), the nation’s largest minority PAC. Hayes is running against incumbent Jesse Jackson, Jr.
President and CEO of BAMPAC Alvin Williams said, “Having Isaac Hayes elected to the U.S. Congress would be great for Illinois’ Second Congressional District. Mr. Hayes has proven leadership qualities and supports public policy that would accurately reflect the values and needs of our country and particularly the constituency of the 2nd District. The citizens of the 2nd Congressional deserves leadership and representation that is unimpeachable.”
“I am proud and honored to receive the confidence and support of BAMPAC,” said Hayes. “The organization is essential to enlarging the 'big tent' mission of Chairman Michael Steele and is a national voice for Black Conservatives.”
The primary mission of BAMPAC is to support African American candidates at the local, state and federal level who “advocate a common sense approach” to addressing America’s political issues.
BAMPAC was founded in 1994. It is a non-partisan federal Political Action Committee committed to promoting the sanctity of human life, excellence in education, economic self-empowerment, protecting our freedom through limited government, and improving the moral climate in our nation as well as highlighting the importance of the African American vote.
BAMPAC works daily towards those goals by supporting the election or re-election of public officeholders who share this vision and work to promote these core values in public life. Actively advocating its core issues through media campaigns and providing the quantitative and qualitative analysis on issues of importance to its growing constituency, BAMPAC also promotes the tenets of democracy and political action globally.
Southtown Star Endorses Hayes Over Jackson Jr.
Chicago - October 19, 2010 - In a stunning blow to the campaign of Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., the Southtown Star has endorsed Isaac Hayes, his Republican challenger.
The paper's endorsement starts of with this:
The 2nd Congressional District stretches from Chicago's South Side into the suburbs, picking up wide swaths of reliable Democratic voters in Calumet City, Dolton, Harvey, Lansing, Matteson and Chicago Heights.
For 15 years, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-2nd) has represented this city-suburban district and, more often than not, earned our endorsement.
But questions surrounding Jackson's involvement in Rod Blagojevich's pay-to-play U.S. Senate appointment fiasco, and more important, Jackson's unwillingness to meet face-to-face to explain it, leave us ill-equipped to endorse him for another term. Full editorial...
The Southtown Star could not have made any other choice. Jesse Jackson, Jr. has shown himself to be dishonest, unfaithful to his wife as well as to his constituents, and a man of low character. Like the Southtown Star, the voters of the 2nd District must face the fact that there is only one good man in the race. They are fortunate to have Isaac Hayes, a man of solid integrity and sharp intelligence, as that one good man. The choice so clear that one wonders why anybody would cling to the flawed and disgraced Jackson, Jr.
The Southtown Star's endorsement included this:
Hayes is running on a platform of restoring integrity in government, reducing spending, cutting the federal deficit and increasing the number of police officers in high crime areas of the 2nd District through Department of Homeland Security funding. He is young, dynamic and thoughtful. Full editorial...
Here is the Hayes campaign's news release about the endorsement:
Republican Nominee for Illinois 2nd Congressional District Isaac Hayes released the following statement applauding today's endorsement by the Southtown Star newspaper.
“I am greatly encouraged by the endorsement of the Southtown Star,” said Hayes. “Its endorsement is a strong vote of confidence to Independents and non-ideological Democrats that I am ready for the job.”
In its endorsement the Southtown star called Hayes, “young, dynamic and thoughtful.” Recognizing that political corruption is a “distraction” to job creation and small business growth, the Southtown Star broke from the status quo and endorsed Hayes who is ready "to hit the ground running in Washington, D.C."
Hayes has received the only two endorsements in the race for Illinois 2nd Congressional District. In April, the Kankakee City News, a Black-owned newspaper, endorsed Hayes, calling him the “change in direction and leadership” the district needed.
The Southtown Star, the most influential newspaper in the South Suburbs of Chicago, endorsing Hayes will give undecided voters confidence in Hayes’ ability to Represent them in Congress with competent leadership.
RELATED:
GOP gets traction in Jesse Jackson Jr.'s district Chicago Tribune
Sticking it to The Man on Chicago's Southside ChicagoNow
GOP picks up endorsement in Jackson Jr.'s district KFVS12 News
Media Ignoring Jesse Jackson Jr's Challenger Hayes
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| Reverend Isaac C. Hayes |
Even with the stunning scandals swirling around Jackson - the blonde "social acquaintance" (ahem) and the recent allegations that Jackson micro-managed a pay-to-play attempt to bribe his way into being appointed to the U.S. Senate by Gov. Blagojevich, the local press hardly ever refers to Hayes. Even "conservative" talk radio station WLS 890 AM has hardly mentioned him, let alone had him on the air.
Don Wade and Roma, the morning drive dynamic duo, fawn all over Jackson, but have yet to interview Hayes. To his credit, WLS host Cisco Cotto, the one-man powerhouse who follows Don and Roma from 9:00-11:00 a.m., interviewed Hayes on recently. Oddly, however, the Hayes interview audio is not posted at WLS, while the Jackson audio is.Would it kill the "conservative" Don and Roma to give a little air time to Republican Isaac Hayes? Would it?
These are the reasons for Hayes's Sept. 22 press release. It had the header, "HAYES SAYS IT'S TIME FOR THE PRESS TO HOLD JACKSON ACCOUNTABLE."
And by gosh, he's right.
CHICAGO: Republican nominee for Illinois 2ndCongressional District Isaac Hayes issued the following statement regarding what he sees as a failure by the press to hold Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. accountable for recent scandals that have surfaced. "Over the course of this political season I have repeatedly heard that the Illinois 2nd Congressional seat is safe. The presumption is that Black voters don’t care about character and values. I find it quite condescending to suggest the ethical and moral disclosures that have plagued our current Representative will just be swept under the rug. "The Black community wants honest government like everyone else. We want jobs, entrepreneurship opportunities, great schools and safe communities.
After sixteen years of Mr. Jackson we have not seen that materialize. This is why it baffles me when I read Chicagoland newspapers that suggest my opponent has done a good job. Bringing home pork may be good politics, but the people in the 9th Ward, Harvey and Dixmoor remain economically distressed. His spending spree in Washington at taxpayers’ expense has contributed to the doubling of the national debt from $7 trillion when he first entered office to $14 trillion today. "From day one, this election has been about character and values. Do we want a continuation of the three-peat of political corruption that has plagued this district for the past 30 years, or do we want to chart a new path forward.
I find it personally offensive to Christian Democrats and moral Independents who expect their Representatives to conduct themselves with honesty and integrity. "Mr. Jackson can tout how much money he has redistributed at the expense of job creators, but the newspapers that allege he has done a good job as Congressman must face the reality of the indicators called jobs, small businesses, school performance and crime. For each of these he receives a failing grade and its time we stop the whitewashing and hold this man accountable!" This statement is from Citizens for Isaac Hayes website: http://www.isaac4honesty.com
- RELATED:
- Isaac Hayes: For the First Time, My Phone's Constantly Buzzing NBC Chicago
- Jesse Jackson Jr. Could Face Charges for Lying to Feds... MyFox Chicago
- In Wake of Scandal, Hayes Draws Attention Chicago News Cooperative
- Can Jesse Jackson, Jr. Be Replaced by a Republican? Associated Content
- Jesse Jackson Jr. having affair with bikini model Giovana Huidobro allvoices
Media Alert: Isaac Hayes to Hold Press Conference to Call on Jackson to tell Truth
MEDIA ADVISORY - Tuesday, September 21, 2010 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - In light of today’s revelations in the Chicago Sun-Times concerning Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., Republican Nominee Isaac Hayes will hold a press conference asking him to be honest with the voters of the Second District. The Sun-Times reported that Oak Brook Businessman Rahuveer Nayak told federal authorities that Mr. Jackson directed him to offer former Gov. Rod Blagojevich six million dollars in campaign cash in return for an appointment to the U.S. Senate seat. The Sun-Times also reported Jackson had Mr. Nayak pay for two airline trips for a “social acquaintance,” Washington, D.C., restaurant hostess Giovana Huidobro.
| Who: What: Where: When: | Isaac Hayes, Republican Nominee for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional To ask Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. to tell the truth 63rd Stony Island Ave, Chicago Tuesday, September 21, 2010 - 2:00-2:30 p.m. |
Analysis: Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr's Opponent Demands His Resignation
Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) told an interesting tale to Don Wade and Roma this morning on WLS 890 AM. Jackson talked about a meeting he had very recently with Rahm Emanuel, who is considered likely to run for mayor of Chicago. The real news, however, is Jackson speaking of himself as a potential candidate. Keep in mind that Jackson is currently running for re-election to Congress in the 2nd Congressional District. Listen to the entire phone call, as broadcast on WLS.
COMMENT: Don Wade pointed out that the second Rod Blagojevich trial will be in early January, at the peak of the mayoral election campaign (the election itself is on Feb. 22, 2011). Wade then brought up the alleged case of an Indian businessman offering one million dollars to Blagojevich in return for naming Jackson to the U.S. Senate seat that was ultimately given to Roland Burris.
Jackson's opponent, Republican nominee Isaac Hayes, was quick to pounce on the congressman's remarks. The Hayes release is reproduced below, which I've interspersed with my comments and additional excerpts from the Jackson phone call to WLS.
HAYES URGES JACKSON TO RESIGN AND STOP THE EMBARRASSMENT
September 17, 2010 - Chicago - Republican nominee for Illinois 2ndCongressional District Isaac Hayes today urged Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. to resign.
Jesse Jackson Jr., speaking on WLS radio’s “Don Wade & Roma” show this morning about an Oct. 28, 2008, meeting with two Indian fund-raisers said, "another gentleman showed up and started having another conversation practically in Hindu, because I don't speak Hindu." He went on to say, "I didn't participate in any of that part of the conversation, nor do I even remember hearing it."
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| Jesse Jackson, Jr. |
Federal prosecutors indicated that they thought Jackson was aware of, as Wade put it, "the efforts by his allies to swap campaign cash for his appointment to the Senate seat." That led Wade to ask Jackson, "Were you sitting down with some important Indian businessman in a Loop restaurant.... [having a] discussion over money for you to get that Senate seat?"
In response, Jackson said, "Let me be clear about this," but went on to give an answer that only caused more confusion - and further damage to his credibility. He acknowledged that both his name and Rahm Emanuel's name came up in the first Blago trial, and that "I'm not on any tapes, uhm, but he is. But neither one of us has been accused of any wrongdoing. In addition to that, I'm not alone in the meeting."
Jackson said he did meet with the Indian and others at the restaurant "for 30 minutes, in the presence of other people, and discussed the third airport when another gentleman showed up and began having a conversation practically in Hindu, because I don't speak Hindu or Swarmi, and I did not participate in any part of that part of the conversation, nor do I even remember hearing it." I believe that Jackson lied through his teeth, and I'll explain why after we finish with the Hayes press release:
Hayes responded with perplexity to the Congressman's statement, “If Congressman Jackson wants us to believe that he participated in a meeting with Indian businessmen who discussed a $1 million bribe on his behalf but failed to tell him about it, he needs to have his head examined because it is clear he lacks the cognitive capacity to serve as a United States Congressman. He should resign now and save himself further embarrassment.”
Jackson said he did meet with the Indian and others at the restaurant "for 30 minutes, in the presence of other people, and discussed the third airport when another gentleman showed up and began having a conversation practically in Hindu, because I don't speak Hindu or Swarmi, and I did not participate in any part of that part of the conversation, nor do I even remember hearing it."
One of the participants in the same meeting, Rajinder Bedi, testified at Blagojevich’s trial that Jackson was sitting with him and another fund-raiser, Raghuveer Nayak, when the $1 million was discussed. Bedi, a government witness, did not say he was speaking in Hindu. Bedi then testified he paid a visit later that same day to Rod Blagojevich’s brother, Robert, and passed along a message that the then-governor would receive campaign money if Jackson were appointed.
Back to my comments. You'll recall that Jackson said he with the Indian and others at the restaurant "in the presence of other people," which he later called "witnesses." He was saying that had he done anything wrong, those "witnesses" would know about it. The logic flaw there is simple: Al Capone had plenty of meetings in which he plotted illegal activities "in the presence of other people," and everyone at those tables was always a "witness."
This statement by Jackson is completely devoid of any real meaning. It's a red herring, a diversion, a smoke screen. This makes me believe that Jackson is lying. Furthermore, he claims innocence by virtue of not being on any of the Blagojevich trial tapes. But how many conservations, in which crime is plotted, are actually ever taped? The lack of tape does not mean a lack of guilt. Again, more smoke.
Jackson not only shows himself to be a bad liar, but an ignorant, uncultured fool. He said that "another gentleman showed up and began having a conversation practically in Hindu, because I don't speak Hindu or Swarmi." That is sadly amusing. "Hindu" is a religion, not a language. Jackson probably meant to say "Hindi," India's official language and one of many spoken there. As for "Swarmi," there doesn't seem to a language anywhere by that name. Was Jackson thinking of "swami?" That's "a Hindu religious teacher; used as a title of respect," according to Princeton University's Wordnet.
There is one more reason to believe that Jackson was lying on WLS. He went to some length to say that he "did not participate in any part of that part of the conversation" in which one of the men was speaking "Hindu or Swarmi." Oddly, however, Jackson said of that portion of the meeting "nor do I even remember hearing it." Really? He has no recollection of hearing it, yet he's certain it was in "Hindu or Swarmi?" Now, how can that be? Anybody?
Hayes Has Plan To Bring Jobs To IL 2nd Cong. District
Chicago - Republican nominee for Illinois 2nd Congressional District Isaac Hayes released the following "Jobs Plan" to create employment and economic development.
Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. continues to sell the citizens of Illinois Second District the promise of “the airport is coming.” Sixteen years later we are still waiting. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for some in the Second District exceeds 30%. We need someone who can do more than one thing at a time. People need jobs today, not ten years from now. More specifically, the Second District needs jobs in the Second District and not the Eleventh District.
While the airport could certainly bring some regional investment, the residents of South Shore and Hegewisch need jobs in Chicago and not Peotone. I have long called for incentivizing manufacturing jobs to our district. Because of the failed policies of the last sixteen years, the Pullman community has suffered through a 30% unemployment rate. Today, they have hope of economic development because of the recently approved Wal-Mart - which I supported from the beginning. This development will bring $1 billion in investment and 12,000 jobs.
However, we need more than Wal-Mart. Pullman was once a manufacturing powerhouse and can once again help America become a producer-nation by manufacturing green technology. This site once provided 12,000 jobs.
Chicago Heights is another community in the Second District that has experienced unemployment upwards of 20%. I have supported this community as a prime location for one of President Obama’s clean coal plants from the 2009 Recovery Act that would bring $1 billion in investment and 2,000 jobs. [Editor's Note: See "Gangs, Crime, and Unemployment"at ProgressIllinois.]
For the past 16 years the members of the South Shore Community have experienced poverty, failing schools and gang violence. This community houses the former U.S. Steel South Works facility. Through tax incentives we can bring manufacturing jobs back to this site. U.S. Steel once employed close to 20,000 people. Instead of using TIF dollars we can provide companies who move to economically distressed communities like South Shore with a lower tax rate as an incentive to bring jobs to our district. America has the second highest corporate tax rate in the world at 38%. I support lowering that rate to 25% for companies that are willing to invest in under-served communities.
Expediting the I-57 connection to I-94 will also bring an economic boon to the communities of Dixmoor, Harvey and Posen.
It is a clear choice for the members of the Second District. Wait for an airport in another Congressional district and hope to get a few of the promised jobs, or support a vision to bring twice that number right to our own district. This is in addition to my plan to encourage entrepreneurship by waiving federal taxes on small businesses for one year.
I can do more than one thing at a time and my Jobs Plan is comprehensive. More importantly, those jobs will be right in the Second District and not 35 miles away.
Contact: Janet D. Restivo - janet@isaac4honesty.com - 312-504-4085
Jesse Jackson Jr. Using Campaign Funds For Legal Bills
August 30, 2010 - Republican Issac Hayes has accused Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. of using campaign funds donated by ordinary individuals to pay off his legal bills. Hayes is running against incumbent Jackson for the 2nd Congressional District seat in Illinois.
In a statement issued today, Hayes said that "During the first half of 2009 Jesse Jackson Jr.’s campaign committee spent $18,697- on legal fees. This comes in addition to the $100,000 he spent in December of 2008. Jackson is routinely under scrutiny for corrupt practices and even uses his donors’ money to fund his defense."
Contributions to Jackson's campaign committee are down from previous years. Since and including 1996, contributions have been lower than today only in 2000. Source: OpenSecrets.org
Hayes also said that “Jackson’s donors should be made aware that a donation to Jackson is a donation to his legal defense fund. This should speak volumes as to the lack of integrity that the 2nd district residents get when they place a vote for Jackson. I am quite certain people would not contribute their hard earned dollars if they knew it would be used for a defense against a congressional crime. I intend to offer the members of our district a clean break from the politics of the past by leading with honesty and integrity.”
Contributions to Jackson's campaign committee are down from previous years. Since and including 1996, contributions have been lower than today only in 2000. Source: OpenSecrets.org
Hayes also said that “Jackson’s donors should be made aware that a donation to Jackson is a donation to his legal defense fund. This should speak volumes as to the lack of integrity that the 2nd district residents get when they place a vote for Jackson. I am quite certain people would not contribute their hard earned dollars if they knew it would be used for a defense against a congressional crime. I intend to offer the members of our district a clean break from the politics of the past by leading with honesty and integrity.”
Was Rep. Jesse Jackson Involved In Blago Bribery?
"Was Rep. Jackson at the head of the table when bribery conspired?" Republican Issac Hayes is running for Congress against U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. in the 2nd District, Illinois. Hayes asks that question - and more.
Hayes released the following statement following testimony heard in the Rod Blagojevich trial that placed Congressman Jackson at a meeting where cash in exchange for the U.S. Senate Seat was discussed:
"Today, we again heard damaging testimony belying Congressman Jackson’s claims of innocence in the Blagojevich Senate Seat scandal. We can now place Mr. Jackson at the head of the table when this conspiracy was first discussed. According to testimony by Rajinder Bedi, on October 27, 2008 he met with Congressman Jackson and his supporter Raghu Nayek at the 312 Restaurant in the loop. During this meeting at which Jackson was present, Nayek asked Bedi to send word to Blagojevich that he would raise a million dollars for Blagojevich if he would appoint Jackson to the Senate seat.
"A pattern has emerged with Mr. Jackson. First, he denied any involvement in the Senate Seat scandal, but then we learned he was ‘Senate Candidate 5’ in the Rod Blagojevich indictment. Next, he denied any knowledge of an offer by his acquaintances, but today we learned he was sitting at the head of the table when the bribe was first offered.
"The good people of Illinois Second District need a Representative who has the character and values to lead our district with honesty and integrity. The three-peat of political corruption we have experienced in this district has taken the focus off of job creation and small business investment. We need a change of leadership and that starts by voting Mr. Jackson out of office in November."
This statement also appears on the Citizens for Isaac Hayes website at:
http://www.isaac4honesty.com/
Hayes released the following statement following testimony heard in the Rod Blagojevich trial that placed Congressman Jackson at a meeting where cash in exchange for the U.S. Senate Seat was discussed:
"Today, we again heard damaging testimony belying Congressman Jackson’s claims of innocence in the Blagojevich Senate Seat scandal. We can now place Mr. Jackson at the head of the table when this conspiracy was first discussed. According to testimony by Rajinder Bedi, on October 27, 2008 he met with Congressman Jackson and his supporter Raghu Nayek at the 312 Restaurant in the loop. During this meeting at which Jackson was present, Nayek asked Bedi to send word to Blagojevich that he would raise a million dollars for Blagojevich if he would appoint Jackson to the Senate seat.
"A pattern has emerged with Mr. Jackson. First, he denied any involvement in the Senate Seat scandal, but then we learned he was ‘Senate Candidate 5’ in the Rod Blagojevich indictment. Next, he denied any knowledge of an offer by his acquaintances, but today we learned he was sitting at the head of the table when the bribe was first offered.
"The good people of Illinois Second District need a Representative who has the character and values to lead our district with honesty and integrity. The three-peat of political corruption we have experienced in this district has taken the focus off of job creation and small business investment. We need a change of leadership and that starts by voting Mr. Jackson out of office in November."
This statement also appears on the Citizens for Isaac Hayes website at:
http://www.isaac4honesty.com/
Poll Shows Few Trust Rep Jesse Jackson
The association of Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. with the alleged corruption of Rod 
Blagojevich is hurting his Congressional campaign. So says a poll released on June 16 by James H. Taylor, Sr., publisher of The Kankakee City News. Even though the poll was conducted before the corruption trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich began, it shows a serious lack of trust in Jackson by potential voters. At the same time, the poll shows a rise in voters' respect for Isaac Hayes, Jackson's Republican challenger, who is seen by poll respondents as "the honest one." Hayes and Jackson are vying for the 2nd Congressional District seat of Illinois.
A June 17 press release from Hayes says that he believes the recent Kankakee City News poll shows "how frustrated the citizens of Illinois Second District are with Congressman Jackson and that they are ready to go against the grain for a long overdue change of management."
“Our communities must have hope for their future and their children’s future and in order to give them that hope," said Hayes, "we must have change.”
Publisher Taylor said this about the City News poll:
Hayes is viewed, according to recently conducted telephone and paper City News poll as the ‘honest one” while those polled had questions about the nature of Congressman Jackson’s role in the alleged attempts to sell and buy the U.S. Senate seat of former U.S. Senator Barack Obama.
Some polled believed Congressman Jackson’s reputation is in question as a result of tapes revealed during the Blagojevich criminal trial.
Those polled, 56% said they felt Congressman Jackson had failed to properly represent the voters of the 2 nd District and 78% of those polled checked a poll question that asked if they believed Congressman Jackson’s voting record reflected a disconnect with the majority of African American residents of the 2nd District.
Those polled also, by a margin of 2 to 1 indicated that they did not trust Congressman Jackson and by a majority those polled said they believed Congressman Jackson’s voting record was more in line with those of interests outside the 2 nd District.
Asked if they felt candidate Hayes would be more representative of the views and objectives of 2 nd District residents, poll respondents by a four to one majority said yes.
Asked if they felt Congressman Jackson had told the truth about his involvement in efforts to purchase the U.S. Senate Seat formerly held by President Barack Obams, 79% said they did not believe Congressman Jackson had been truthful.
James H. Taylor, Sr. is the chairman of The Kankakee County Black Republican Association (KCBRA), an African-American voters group in Kankakee County (Source: Daily Journal, Kankakee ~ subscription). Taylor used to support Barack Obama, but has had a change of heart. He posted this on Organizing For America website on January 24, 2010:
To be sure I was a supporter and very proud of him when he ran for and won the office of President of the United States. One of my prized possessions has been a photo he took holdidng my news paper, the Kankakee City News, but today I am ashamed of Barack Obama. More here...
The Hayes press release today says that the City News poll "was conducted over a period of six weeks and included 389 individuals either over the telephone or via responses to questions in person and an insert in the newspaper. The towns that were covered for this poll included: Ford Heights, Hazel Crest, Harvey, Park Forest, University Park, Chicago Heights, Homewood, Matteson, Dolton, South Holland, Country Club Hills, Frankfort, Richton Park, Olympia Hills, Phoenix, Markham, East Hazel Crest, Flossmoor and part of Woodlawn."
The Hayes press release also notes that the poll "was taken prior to the start of the Blagojevich trial and release of wire tape recordings of conversations between Blagojevich and chief-of-staff Alonzo Monk, where Blagojevich is recorded saying Jackson will 'offer you fundraising and all kinds of stuff' in exchange for the Senate seat."
Hayes says that the "lack of confidence in Jackson’s character" indicates an erosion of support for Jackson. “The second District needs a Representative with character and leadership to change the lackluster performance of Mr. Jackson," says Hayes. "We have suffered through sixteen years of failed leadership and we need a new direction that will bring honesty and integrity to our government."
You can view the entire Hayes press statement on the Citizens for Isaac Hayes website at: http://www.isaac4honesty.com/.
The Kankakee City News, oddly, has no website. It has was founded in 1972 and "covers information for Illinois and the greater area." It is a member of the Illinois African American News Service (IAANS). Published weekly, it claims a circulation of 37,000 and is owned by Taylor Publications. (Source)
Blagojevich is hurting his Congressional campaign. So says a poll released on June 16 by James H. Taylor, Sr., publisher of The Kankakee City News. Even though the poll was conducted before the corruption trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich began, it shows a serious lack of trust in Jackson by potential voters. At the same time, the poll shows a rise in voters' respect for Isaac Hayes, Jackson's Republican challenger, who is seen by poll respondents as "the honest one." Hayes and Jackson are vying for the 2nd Congressional District seat of Illinois.
A June 17 press release from Hayes says that he believes the recent Kankakee City News poll shows "how frustrated the citizens of Illinois Second District are with Congressman Jackson and that they are ready to go against the grain for a long overdue change of management."
“Our communities must have hope for their future and their children’s future and in order to give them that hope," said Hayes, "we must have change.”
Publisher Taylor said this about the City News poll:
Hayes is viewed, according to recently conducted telephone and paper City News poll as the ‘honest one” while those polled had questions about the nature of Congressman Jackson’s role in the alleged attempts to sell and buy the U.S. Senate seat of former U.S. Senator Barack Obama.
Some polled believed Congressman Jackson’s reputation is in question as a result of tapes revealed during the Blagojevich criminal trial.
Those polled, 56% said they felt Congressman Jackson had failed to properly represent the voters of the 2 nd District and 78% of those polled checked a poll question that asked if they believed Congressman Jackson’s voting record reflected a disconnect with the majority of African American residents of the 2nd District.
Those polled also, by a margin of 2 to 1 indicated that they did not trust Congressman Jackson and by a majority those polled said they believed Congressman Jackson’s voting record was more in line with those of interests outside the 2 nd District.
Asked if they felt candidate Hayes would be more representative of the views and objectives of 2 nd District residents, poll respondents by a four to one majority said yes.
Asked if they felt Congressman Jackson had told the truth about his involvement in efforts to purchase the U.S. Senate Seat formerly held by President Barack Obams, 79% said they did not believe Congressman Jackson had been truthful.
James H. Taylor, Sr. is the chairman of The Kankakee County Black Republican Association (KCBRA), an African-American voters group in Kankakee County (Source: Daily Journal, Kankakee ~ subscription). Taylor used to support Barack Obama, but has had a change of heart. He posted this on Organizing For America website on January 24, 2010:
To be sure I was a supporter and very proud of him when he ran for and won the office of President of the United States. One of my prized possessions has been a photo he took holdidng my news paper, the Kankakee City News, but today I am ashamed of Barack Obama. More here...
The Hayes press release today says that the City News poll "was conducted over a period of six weeks and included 389 individuals either over the telephone or via responses to questions in person and an insert in the newspaper. The towns that were covered for this poll included: Ford Heights, Hazel Crest, Harvey, Park Forest, University Park, Chicago Heights, Homewood, Matteson, Dolton, South Holland, Country Club Hills, Frankfort, Richton Park, Olympia Hills, Phoenix, Markham, East Hazel Crest, Flossmoor and part of Woodlawn."
The Hayes press release also notes that the poll "was taken prior to the start of the Blagojevich trial and release of wire tape recordings of conversations between Blagojevich and chief-of-staff Alonzo Monk, where Blagojevich is recorded saying Jackson will 'offer you fundraising and all kinds of stuff' in exchange for the Senate seat."
Hayes says that the "lack of confidence in Jackson’s character" indicates an erosion of support for Jackson. “The second District needs a Representative with character and leadership to change the lackluster performance of Mr. Jackson," says Hayes. "We have suffered through sixteen years of failed leadership and we need a new direction that will bring honesty and integrity to our government."
You can view the entire Hayes press statement on the Citizens for Isaac Hayes website at: http://www.isaac4honesty.com/.
The Kankakee City News, oddly, has no website. It has was founded in 1972 and "covers information for Illinois and the greater area." It is a member of the Illinois African American News Service (IAANS). Published weekly, it claims a circulation of 37,000 and is owned by Taylor Publications. (Source)
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