Chicago Free Marketeer takes on the Education Establishment

Libertarian Republican website was pleased to have the opportunity to interview Ms. Emma Jackson, a former student at the Medill School of Journalism in Chicago. She is a regular reader of Libertarian Republican. She's also friends with the free market think tank community in the Chicago area.

Jackson was kind enough to allow Libertarian Republican to premiere her groundbreaking video series on the troubled Chicago school system, and free market options to improve educational opportunities, particularly for inner-city school children.

LIBERTARIAN REPUBLICAN: What was it like being a libertarian at a leftwing journalist school?

JACKSON: It would have been nice to have at least one faculty member that was libertarian. It really kills your motivation when you know that political commentary with a libertarian angle is not encouraged. I produced the voucher video outside of the required assignments for the school.

LIBERTARIAN REPUBLICAN: How did the faculty treat you?

JACKSON: One of my professors Sharon McGowan knew I was conservative. Our class had a simple assignment of writing a news brief on what occurred on a Meet the Press show. I wrote a straight news article piece about what was said about Obama's response to the Iranian protest of the election results. My professor thought I was trying to insinuate in the piece that diplomacy is ineffective and hence we should bomb Iran. All I wrote was a straight news article. I didn't put my oppinion in the piece at all. After she read my piece she asked in the middle of class. Does Iran have a bomb? Do you really think Iran has a bomb? I couldn't even answer because I was so shocked. She wanted me to say yes so she could (I guess) prove that I'm stupid conservative.

LIBERTARIAN REPUBLICAN: Can libertarians and other free marketeers have a place in journalism school?

JACKSON: If you want to write or produce videos with a libertarian angle I don't think journalism school is the best route to go. You can be innovative with getting free market policy organizations to fund you to write commentary pieces and produce videos or you can try to brand yourself through a blog.

Trib confirms Giannoulias made bank loans to convicted Felons

From Eric Dondero:

The troubles keep piling up for Democrat nominee for US Senate in Illinois (Barack Obama seat), Alexia Giannoulias.

The Chicago Tribune, in a banner headline front page story Friday, announced the finding that Giannoulias was indeed responsible for "$20 million in bank loans to felons." The convicted felons in question: illegal loan shark and money laundering enterprisers Michael "Jaws" Giorango, Demitri Stavropoulos and Boris Stavensinksy.

The family bank of Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias loaned a pair of Chicago crime figures about $20 million during a 14-month period when Giannoulias was a senior loan officer, according to a Tribune examination that provides new details about the bank's relationship with the convicted felons.

Broadway Bank had already lent millions to Michael Giorango when he and a new business partner, Demitri Stavropoulos, came to the bank in mid-2004. Although both men were preparing to serve federal prison terms, the bank embarked on a series of loans to them.

Now, a top Chicago Democrat boss is saying it's curtains for Giannoulias. Don Rose, has ties to Obama, and very close ties to Obama's top consultant David Axlerod.

Background from the Chicago Tribune, June 24, 2007:

In his early years as a political consultant, Axelrod, following in the footsteps of his mentor, the political strategist Don Rose, carved out a reputation for himself as a skillful specialist working for local progressive candidates...says Rose. "I think he's a principled, generally progressive guy... ."

Photos - Rose left, Axlerod right

Don Rose admits, if election held today Republican Mark Kirk would easily beat Giannoulias

Now this from Real Clear Politics, "Democrats stand by candidate for Obama's old seat":

Chicago political consultant Don Rose said that if the election were now he thinks Kirk would win but sees a good opportunity for Giannoulias make up for lost ground, especially if the economy improves.

"They have to make Kirk unpalatable politically and level the playing field," Rose said. "Of course the best thing would be if they could get him (Giannoulias) to resign and replace him."

Photos - Convicted Chicago mobsters and "friends of Alexia" Boris Stavensinksy left, Michael "Jaws" Giorango right

There's some speculation that Obama and Axlerod might be quietly putting the word out that Giannoulias has to go, through Rose.

But other top Illinois Democrats are still clinging to Giannoulias. They believe the way for him to get elected is to paint moderate and squeeky clean Republican Kirk as "too conservative" for Illinois.
Continuing:

the 34-year-old Giannoulias is still electable if he meets the bank embarrassment head on and strikes back at the Republican congressman as more conservative than this Democratic-trending state, Democratic insiders say.

Kirk is a Veteran Naval Officer with combat service. He's also a Medal of Honor winner. He has served 4-terms representing Illinois 10th CD, and is generally regarded as a fiscally conservative/socially moderate GOPer.

This seat is one of two or three truly toss-ups (along with California Barbara Boxer seat, and NY's Kristen Gillibran), that if it swings the GOP's way, it could give Republicans the majority in the Senate.

Special hat tip to regular LR reader and former Libertarian Party of Illinois board member Jeff Wartman of Chicago, for keeping us regularly informed on this story.

Valued members of the Party of Reagan

Former Vice-President Dan Quayle had an op-ed in the Washington Post today, "Don't let the Tea Party go Perot". Excerpts from The Hill:

"to this day we firmly believe that Perot cost the Republican Party the White House."

"As Reagan did 30 years ago, Republican leaders between now and 2012 should reach out, as Sarah Palin has done, to an independent grassroots movement whose energy and conviction the party badly needs."

"Whether they count themselves as Republicans, independents, libertarians or conservative Democrats, these are our folks -- the natural allies of the party of Reagan."

Michelle Obama a Birther too?

First lady slips up in speech to GLBT April 3. Makes reference to "when we visited Barack's home country in Kenya." Comment comes in at 40 second mark.

Editor's comment - Wonder if Chris Matthews will be calling Birthers, "kooks," and "nutso extremists" now?

(H/t LR reader Hack W.)

New survey numbers from Rasmussen. During the waning days of the Bush administration, and the first few months of Obama's presidency, Democrats had reached par with Republicans on virtually all issues, including foreign policy and defense matters. Now they've fallen back to traditional territory.

Trust on the Issues, from Rasmussen (h/t Rightosphere) April 3:

National security and the War on Terror

•Republicans 51% (47%)
•Democrats 36% (37%)

War in Iraq

•Republicans 47% (42%)
•Democrats 39% (38%)

Note, trust in the GOP to handle War in Iraq has grown by 5 points in the last month to its highest point since 2003.