Funny how this works
Wednesday, Aug 2, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Crain’s…
In a metaphor of sorts for the state of the party — and, for that matter, the nation — Illinois Republicans are all over the map in their reaction to the indictment of former President Donald Trump for allegedly conspiring to nullify the results of the 2020 presidential election and claim a second term in the White House.
Leading conservatives in the Illinois GOP, mostly downstate, are blasting the indictment on four felony counts as a rigged political action aimed at hurting Trump’s chances in 2024. More moderate party figures, mostly in the Chicago area, are ripping Trump and his allies for abetting an effort to overturn American democracy. Solid swaths of other Republicans are keeping mum, issuing no tweets or press statements.
All the “moderate party figures” quoted in the piece are out of power, like former US Reps. Joe Walsh and Adam Kinzinger.
* As for those still in positions of power…
Among those saying nothing at all so far are the state Republican Party, Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy and Cook County Republican Party Chair Sean Morrison.
* The Illinois Republican Party isn’t completely silent about corruption, though. The party issued a press release today about a Chicago alderperson who resigned four years ago…
Welcome to another edition of Continuing Corruption, where we dig deep into the actions of politicians embroiled in controversies that erode public confidence. Today, we shift our focus to Illinois Democrat Willie Cochran, a former alderman whose troubling actions have left a stain on the state’s political landscape.
Before his corruption came to light, Willie Cochran was a prominent figure in Chicago politics and served as the alderman of the 20th Ward in Chicago, Illinois. The 20th Ward, in particular, has had a dismal track record, with Cochran becoming the third alderman in the last four to be indicted while in office.
So, what exactly did he do?
Cochran was charged in December 2016 with one count of felony wire fraud. The case revealed his involvement in stealing a staggering $14,000 from a charity he had created to support vulnerable children and seniors in his South Side ward. Instead of fulfilling the noble purpose of the charity, Cochran shamelessly misused the funds for personal gain, indulging in lavish dinners, splurging on Mercedes-Benz accessories, funding his daughter’s college education, and feeding a dangerous gambling habit.
Let me repeat that: he stole from a charity for children and elderly to fund a gambling habit.
Cochran resigned from his position as alderman of the 20th Ward in Chicago on March 1, 2019. His resignation came after he was re-elected to his position in February 2019 while facing the pending charges of wire fraud.
In June 2019, Cochran was sentenced to one year in prison on one count of felony wire fraud.
The Illinois Democratic Party’s persistent series of corruption scandals has cast a dark shadow on the state’s political landscape. Time and again, prominent figures within the party have faced allegations of unethical conduct, abuse of power, and misuse of public funds. From former aldermen and city officials to high-ranking state politicians, the list of individuals embroiled in controversies seems unending. These scandals not only erode public trust in the party but also undermine faith in the state’s governance. It’s a troubling pattern that demands a thorough examination of the party’s internal mechanisms and a renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership.
But of course, we’ll see you back next week when we discuss yet another member of the Illinois Democrat Party who abused their power as an elected official at the expense of the public they were supposed to serve.
…Adding… Sean Morrison issued a statement on crime today…
At some point Cook County’s elected officials should acknowledge that the enacted prosecutorial, bail and judicial sentencing “reform” policies are failing our community. More precisely, they are failing the innocent hard-working families in Cook County and beyond.
* Meanwhile, Darren Bailey said this in March of last year…
“Today’s indictment of the former Speaker and leader of the @IllinoisDems is no surprise. As Governor, I’ll root out corruption and ensure those who engage in illegal activity are prosecuted and pay a steep price for violating public trust. It’s time to reform Springfield. #twill,” Bailey posted on Twitter
Contrast that with yesterday…
* Bailey’s primary opponent Mike Bost issued a press release cheering on the feds last year, then tweeted this yesterday…
OK, I’ve broken the seal. Take some deep breaths before commenting, please.
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 2:20 pm:
A political party that swears allegiance to a man instead of ideas is not a political party. I hate the fact that a former president has been indicted, many times indicted at that. But there has to come a point where Republican politicians face reality. Find someone else. Find someone better.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 2:25 pm:
“Whatever may have been my political opinions before, I have but one sentiment now: that is, we have a government, and laws, and a flag, and they must all be sustained. There are but two parties now: traitors and patriots. And I want hereafter to be ranked with the latter.”
- US Grant
Can’t agree more. Same then, I see the same now, I don’t identify with this Republican Party.
Grant knew the score.
Lincoln won the game, but Grant always knew the score.
- curtis - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 2:27 pm:
===Among those saying nothing at all so far===
Well, ILGOP tried this in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and now apparently the fifth time is the charm in 2024. Bold strategy, let’s see if it pays off for them.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 2:28 pm:
Deeeeep Breeeeaaath fiiiiiiirrrrst.
The ILGOP went over to the authoritarian insurrectionists two years ago.
It is simply capitol that the gop is accusing democrats and Biden of “weaponizing” the doj when trump has referred to himself retribution for the right. Trump is the same guy that fired anyone and everyone that was not “loyal” enough (code for not willing to do his dirty work) so the hypocrisy has risen to nuclear level.
- Speaker of the grouse - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 2:29 pm:
Broken the seal. That’s hilarious. It’s like unlocking the door to the asylum. Capitol Hill is apparently on lockdown now with reports of an active shooter. At some point, republicans will need to acknowledge their role in fostering a culture of rage among their base, and this continued defense of trump needs to stop. I wonder how many life threatening situations members of congress must encounter in their own workspace to finally realize that they must act on access to guns. The Republican heated rhetoric needs to stop now.
- Gravitas - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 2:32 pm:
Alan Dershowitz, an emeritus professor of the Harvard Law School, has reviewed the indictment, and concluded that the latest charges have no merit whatsoever. The First Amendment applies and the Democrats tried to challenge election results as recently as 2000, 2008, and 2016, which is permissible under our laws. Nothing to see here folks, move along.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 2:34 pm:
===Nothing to see here folks===
Yeah, keep telling that to yourself.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 2:34 pm:
===reports===
Seemed possibly unfounded now. ABC News sees to think it’s unfounded.
We don’t know.
Taking a breath to real time news is a thing too.
- Bruce( no not him) - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 2:35 pm:
“But, its only corrupt if the other guys do it. My party is protecting Democracy.”
“Oh, and did you hear about…”
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 2:38 pm:
===Alan Dershowitz, an emeritus professor of the Harvard Law School, has reviewed===
They made &#%$@ t-shirts, there was talk of quelling possible uprisings with the Insurrection Act, all the while openly discussing that it’s untrue, even today as “1st Amendment” arguments against this indictment… that attempts on that day for that reason to overturn the election… where hundreds are guilty… with no leader to this call?
C’mon
- So_Ill - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 2:41 pm:
This is what happens when you follow a failed stake salesmen/reality tv star/failed casino owner off the deep end.
I don’t feel sorry for them at all. They had many chances to throw this guy overboard and they just couldn’t do it.
Whoops!
- The Ford Lawyer - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 2:41 pm:
How ironic that the party of Lincoln, the Republican Party, now largely condones the efforts of a would-be dictator to overthrow the republic. Until they rid themselves of the past, the GOP has no future. Both parties have been able to remake themselves in the past, but it takes some time in the wilderness and decades of work. I came of age in the ’80s and voted for and worked for Republicans until Trump. I have hope that the GOP can become worthy of my vote again before I die. It doesn’t look like it will be soon. I will probably pull a GOP ballot in ‘24, just to vote for anyone who has been brave enough to condemn Trumpolini.
- Larry Bowa Jr. - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 2:42 pm:
“Alan Dershowitz”
LOL.
I didn’t know they made Alan Dershowitz into a trial court. Must be really reassuring to you that he’s already acquitted your guy.
Case dismissed everybody, Alan Dershowitz said so!
- JoanP - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 2:43 pm:
Oh, well, if Alan Dershowitz said it, it must be true. /snark/
https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/alan-dershowitz-ordered-pay-limited-sanctions-arizona-election-case-2023-07-14/
Read the indictment for yourself. It is not based on what TFG SAID, it’s based on his ACTIONS. And he did more than merely challenge the results of the election. Among other things, he attempted to set up slates of fraudulent electors. Not protected by the 1st Amendment.
- TheInvisibleMan - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 2:54 pm:
–The Illinois Republican Party isn’t completely silent about corruption, though.–
No mention of the chair of the Plainfield Township Republican Organization, and the at-the-time republican elected plainfield township supervisor - who was charged with wire fraud among other things and was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison this past Feb?
Not to mention that now imprisoned dude was listed as the campaign treasurer on *dozens* of state level republicans election campaign disclosures.
From the sentencing doc;
“Defendant . . . unrepentantly betray[ed] the trust of his former partners and employees and stopped only when he was caught and terminated.”
- Roadrager - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 2:56 pm:
==Alan Dershowitz, an emeritus professor of the Harvard Law School==
Well, certainly no need to look into the career or statements of Alan Dershowitz any further than that.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an appointment for a strictly therapeutic massage from an elderly Hungarian woman before my nightly Fox News appearance.
- Proud - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:00 pm:
It wasnt “weaponizing the DOJ” when they went after Hillary and could find no evidence. That was justified and “patriotic.”
- Stacker Pacetrain - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:02 pm:
For some of that sweet Uihlein boodle, I’d friend the devil.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:04 pm:
“Look”, far be it from me to get in the way of anyone admitting being a fool, any of the Trumpkins want that, have at it.
My curiosity is, however, if it’s a 1st Amendment thingy where saying wholly untrue things isn’t a crime and as Trump’s lawyer said this morning, to paraphrase, lying in campaign rhetoric isn’t criminal…
… as ya wear that red hat and wave both the confederate flag and Trump flag, one in each hand, were you the fool that believed the lie, that was called the projection of “The Big Lie”, or the fool now that upon learning it was all a lie, all of it, leading to January 6th, and you still think it’s ok?
I just want clarity from the “1st Amendment” leaners to where the cult got ya to swallow the falsehoods at the cost of the country?
- Nick Name - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:09 pm:
Everyone should read the indictment. Far from a dry run-down of alleged crimes, it is a gripping tale of deliberate malfeasance and corruption, the object of which was to overturn a legitimate election and overthrow the government of the United States. Traitors or patriots indeed (thank you, OW, for the Grant quote).
https://tinyurl.com/2p8m5a45
- Gravitas - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:13 pm:
@Joan P.
It is not illegal for different sets of electors to be put together in the case of a photo finish.
In 1960, JFK filed an alternate set of electors in Hawaii. Initial vote tallies showed Nixon winning the state and its 3 electoral votes. After the vote totals were finalized, it was demonstrated that Kennedy won in a close race. The alternate electors were accepted and JFK received their votes.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:13 pm:
OW + 1
- Norseman - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:16 pm:
The party of Lincoln is dead. It’s now the the MAGA GOP cult. Where truth doesn’t exist.
- CornAl DoGooder - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:17 pm:
Even after deep breaths, its hard not to be absolutely appalled with the GOP approach to J6. Sure, partisanship can be powerful, but you would think there would be a line where country comes first. But not only are they putting party first, they are doing it in such brazenly hypocritical and inconsistent ways that it makes me fear what they would be capable of if they ever regain unified control of Congress and the White House.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:18 pm:
== Alan Dershowitz, an emeritus professor of the Harvard Law School, has reviewed the indictment and concluded that the latest charges have no merit whatsoever. ==
Well then, it will likely get immediately dismissed, and we will all move on quickly. I will suggest that the fact that there are not many publicly respected attornies saying this makes me think it may not be the majority opinion. Also, considering Alan’s baggage, I would treat him as a netural authority.
To the Illinois angle.
This stopped being the party of Thompson/Edgar, heck, even George Ryan a while back. As a reduction of power, influence, and other factors led to fewer and fewer folks being closer to the middle being involved, the percentage of those further to the right continued to grow. This then increased the appeal to those more to the right and perhaps more dogmatic. I saw that when I was still actively involved over 15 years ago. The single-issue folks became more vocal and more involved. In my neck of the woods, issues like immigration began attracting more attention and were less about taxes, good government, and regulation.
Now when I see the e-mails from my local township org they are mentioning speakers from pro-life and pro-family groups, stuff you would have never seen at a meeting 15 years ago.
The party also became more about purity and personality than winning elections.
To appeal to the current base, who seems to be driven more by grievance in some ways than anything else, you need to be much more dogmatic. Logically, yet sadly, the candidate who appealed to their aggrieved side and continues to do so has an appeal. Since there seems to be a lack of ideas, personality drives things. It seems less that I have good ideas and more that those people you don’t like don’t like me, so I am your man.
Owning the libs may have become an effective primary strategy is not an effective general election strategy. That’s not how Rauner got elected when he ran the first time, but they have decided to toss what worked for 40 years and go full rage.
I used to think the adults would return to the party, but now I doubt they ever will in this state.
- H-W - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:19 pm:
=== Alan Dershowitz, an emeritus professor of the Harvard Law School ===
Just so you understand what you are saying, “emeritus” means retired. That’s it. It does not mean godlike, or even meritorious as in worthy of merit. It simply is meaningless label that all universities give to retiring professors, including foolish ones.
Professor (soon to be emeritus) H-W
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:20 pm:
===In 1960, JFK filed===
Yeah, ‘bout that.
Politico
===One crucial feature of the 1960 episode is that a state court weighed in on Jan. 4, 1961, two days before Nixon oversaw the electoral vote count.
In that case, Judge Ronald Jamieson agreed that the certified Kennedy electors were legitimate. But, more significantly, Jamieson said it was important that those electors met and gathered on Dec. 19, 1960, as prescribed by the Electoral Count Act.
Rather than suggest the Democratic electors committed fraud, the judge pointed to their meeting as a key step that preserved their ability to be counted after the recount showed Kennedy had actually won the state. Jamieson also reportedly threw out an effort by the GOP electors to scrap the entire election because of fraud allegations.
The ruling wasn’t appealed and holds no binding weight, but it’s the only legal precedent for dueling Electoral College slates since the Electoral Count Act passed in 1887.===
The insurrection with the conspiracy to have illegitimate electors failed to recognize that not one state was in flux, there was no state court that ruled Trump won those states.
Anything else?
- JoanP - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:21 pm:
= if it’s a 1st Amendment thingy where saying wholly untrue things isn’t a crime and as Trump’s lawyer said this morning, to paraphrase, lying in campaign rhetoric isn’t criminal.. =
Well, those aren’t crimes. Heck, if lying in campaign rhetoric was a crime, very few candidates would be spared jail.
But the indictment is clear that there is a distinction between lying, and challenging the election results through the appropriate court processes, on the one hand, and pursuing “unlawful means of discounting legitimate votes and subverting the election results”, on the other.
It is the latter that forms the basis for the indictment.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:22 pm:
- Norseman -
The GOP is over, glad I’m on your side. Thanks.
- OneMan - good stuff, bud, restaurant quality
- Sir Reel - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:36 pm:
The party of law and order? More like the party of crime and chaos.
It’s back the blue when people of color march, but not when Trump supporters attack the Capitol.
Pick a lane.
- 48th Ward Heel - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:46 pm:
“We need to put a man under multiple criminal indictments back into the White House so he can end the cases against himself, that’ll fix the politicization of the government” - a very serious person
- Socially DIstant watcher - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:52 pm:
@Gravitas:
That’s “former Trump lawyer Alan Dershowitz” to you.
https://nypost.com/2023/06/19/former-trump-lawyer-alan-dershowitz-bashes-indictments-against-ex-president/
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:57 pm:
The only thing softer than Bailey’s hands is his spine.
- Mary Poppins - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:58 pm:
Paragraph 75 of the indictment, defendant to the acting attorney general:
“Just say that the election was corrupt and leave the rest to me and the Republican congressmen.”
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 3:59 pm:
Turns out there was no active incident at the Capitol.
That’s according to US Capitol Police
The January 6th committee talked to some US Capitol police about that day, the insurrection attempt. They were and are heroes.
Many were given medals, by members of Congress. Funny thing about that day was those heroes who saved lives of both Republican and Democrat alike, many refused to shake the hands or acknowledge the Republicans eager to shake their hands.
Ask *those* folks what this indictment means, mention the “1st Amendment” and JFK “Hawaii” electors… don’t forget the insurrection t-shirt too.
Grant got it right. As a country we still have a ways to go.
- @misterjayem - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 4:00 pm:
“The First Amendment applies…”
In much the same way that 1A applies to the ordering of a Mafia hit.
In much the same way that 1A applies to the willful breach of an oral contract.
In much the same way that 1A applies to fraudulent phone calls.
There is nothing novel about the idea that there are some kind of oral communication that are, under the law, something more than mere First Amendment protected speech.
– MrJM
- Politix - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 4:00 pm:
=== Alan Dershowitz, an emeritus professor of the Harvard Law School and conservative FOX News commentator ===
Fixed it for ya.
- H-W - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 4:06 pm:
@ Nick Name
As you state, read the indictment before discussing it.
It is a very clear, very factual statement of what played out. There are no gray areas. It is a compelling argument that Trump, Giuliani, and five others clearly and intentionally collaborated to cause the U.S. Congress and the Vice President and six of the United States to overturn the election results, based on false statements, and illegal schemes. None of the evidence is equivocal. It is a clear roadmap of a man and his surrogates attempting to deny the People of their choice for president.
Trump knew what he was doing, he knew he was lying (evidence bares that out), and it was a conspiracy.
Anyone who reads the indictment and quibbles over the facts is just quibbling for the sake of quibbling. They are also attempting to deny the citizens of Illinois their votes by overturning the election in toto.
Mr. Bailey seems not to care that he is suggesting the votes of the electors who represent the citizens of Illinois are irrelevant in comparison to Bailey’s support for Trump’s attempt to subvert an election. That speaks loudly to his qualifications for representing the will of the people.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 4:16 pm:
==It is not illegal for different sets of electors to be put together==
The election results had been certified. There wasn’t a reason for an alternate set of electors. The only reason they did that was in an attempt to get the Vice President to ignore the votes in those states and instead award the state to Trump even though he lost.
Perhaps you can explain to me what it is about Trump that causes people like you to defend him. I just do not understand this attitude. The guy was engaged in a coup. He was trying to nullify the votes in order to stay in power. Those are the activities of a dictator.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 4:33 pm:
The fealty towards an alleged leader of an insurrection by Bost and Bailey is arguably one of the saddest things I’m seeing in a devolving of republicans here in Illinois.
The 1990s Bost was “larger than life”, was the measure of how to win elections then own that district going forward.
Not the same man. Nope.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 4:42 pm:
Maybe someone from the law and order party can reconcile Trump with this position. How does that work, shouting law and order but defending DT no matter what he does?
- Dotnonymous x - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 5:18 pm:
Believing in one cult makes it far easier to believe in another.
The messianic “I alone” Trump led cult mimics another far older cult.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 5:24 pm:
The challenge with this particular “hoax” for our former President was that we all saw it play out in real time. The GOP wants to pretend that these events either didn’t happen and/or we shouldn’t be concerned by any of this. As with all individuals associated with the former President it won’t end well. Hold your receipts for that inevitable event and hold the enablers who would so quickly disregard our constitution accountable.
- Big Dipper - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 5:34 pm:
==Alan Dershowitz==
Some people used to think well of Rudy too.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Aug 2, 23 @ 8:24 pm:
= Some people used to think well of Rudy too. =
And now he’s co-conspirator 1.