Robin Kelly, Democratic candidate for the 2nd Illinois Congressional district, today received the coveted endorsement of the Chicago Tribune.
In its endorsement of Robin Kelly, it said that the "next member of Congress" must be "trustworthy, forthright and independent," with an ability to "balance the issues of affordable housing and high unemployment with the needs of farmers, tea party activists and stay-at-home moms." The endorsement editorial also said that the "next member of Congress will "need to hit the ground sprinting," given that the seat has been open since November.
The Chicago Tribune also cites Robin Kelly's integrity, pragmatism and her work ethic saying that she is "not a show-boater. She won't dazzle you with ebullience. She doesn't grandstand. She just works hard."
The Chicago Tribune just makes a brief mention of Robin Kelly's high-profile stance on the issue of "gun control," saying that she was the "chief sponsor of legislation that cracked down on illegal firearm sales." That bill, HB0312, was sponsored in the Illinois state senate by a bright, up and coming political star, Barack Obama. It was Robin Kelly's very first introduced by her as a state representative and Robin Kelly was the bill's chief sponsor.
HB0312 was introduced on Jan. 23, 2003, passed by both house on May 27, 2013 and signed into law on Aug. 7, 2003 as Kelly picked up nineteen house co-sponsors.
The Chicago Tribune also cited that Robin Kelly was "the chief sponsor of a bill that encourages businesses to grow and expand. That program, known as the EDGE tax credit, is one of the state's most popular tools to give small- and medium-sized businesses incentives to stay in Illinois."
But the Chicago Tribune cited an all-around record of excellence, including her time as Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle's Chief Administrative Officer.
In the end, the Chicago Tribune said that in this critical time about the lack of confidence in our elected officials, they said that Robin Kelly "demonstrates the ethical compass 2nd District voters need and deserve."
In not giving State Sen. Toi Hutchinson the endorsement, the Chicago Tribune said she possesses a "timid record" when it came to confronting the great issues of the day. That record won her the "endorsement of the state's largest public employees union."
But she has dodged or been on the wrong side of several important votes in Springfield. Illinois is in deep debt, yet she voted to keep half-empty prisons open. She skipped an important vote to save money by requiring state retirees to pay part of their health insurance premiums. She voted "present" on a bill to abolish the grossly abused legislative scholarship program. She voted against the only pension reform bill to reach the Senate floor.
Last Feb. 27, 2012, the Chicago Tribune called former U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson of Crete "alarmingly unqualified" to represent the district.
Capitol Fax Rich Miller said at that time that the "paper whacked Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. in four, long paragraphs and concluded that Jackson’s explanations for all his troubles are 'unsatisfying.' But then the editorial board proceeded to ridicule Jackson's primary opponent Debbie Halvorson."
While they note that "she's better prepared for this campaign than she seemed to be when she ran against Jackson in 2012," the Chicago Tribune had little else to say or add to its editorial about Debbie Halovorson.
It had said enough last Feb. 27, 2012 about Debbie Halvorson in failing to endorse her over Jesse Jackson Jr. as yesterday, the word came out that former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. will be serving "significant jail time" as a result of a House ethics investigation and misuse of campaign funds.
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Send John Presta an email and your story ideas or suggestions or even to volunteer for Robin Kelly at johnpresta@att.net.
John is the author of an award-winning book, the 2010 Winner of the USA National Best Book award for African-American studies, published by The Elevator Group Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots: How Barack Obama, Two Bookstore Owners, and 300 Volunteers did it. Also available an eBook on Amazon. John is also a member of the Society of Midland Authors and is a book reviewer of political books for the New York Journal of Books. John has volunteered for many political campaigns and is currently an unpaid volunteer for the Robin Kelly for Congress campaign. Robin Kelly also has a facebook fan page.
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