Traitor Democrats

PEORIA -- Two similar letters arrived in the snail mail today, from three traitor Democrats.

Both letters were professionally produced, and neither had a union 'bug' showing that a union shop produced these pieces of campaign literature. Both were addressed to "Dear Fellow Democrats."

Both were paid for by the campaigns of the Republican candidates they are supporting.

The first was from Peoria City Council member and Democrat Barbara Van Auken, supporting Republican Pat Sullivan for the State Senate against incumbent Democrat Dave Koehler. 

The second was from two former Peoria County Board chairpersons, Democrats Dave Williams and Sharon Kennedy. They are suppporting Republican Frank Ierulli for State's Attorney against Democrat Jerry Brady.

My first thought was to wonder why they are doing this. 

Then I wondered what they hope to get from Cong. Aaron Schock, who is reportedly financing all the Republican campaigns against incumbent Democrats. Do they want jobs for themselves or their pals or relatives?  Or worse, were they, or will they be 'rewarded' secretly?

Alas, the Peoria Journal Star has so gutted its news staff that apparently no one has time to check the campaign finance reports, to see  how much Schock is spending to elect Republicans.Or who is getting the money.

But back to the two letters.  Van Auken has an opponent for City Council next spring, Chuck Grayeb.  I hereby endorse him, and call on Van Auken to officially declare herself a Republican.  We'll be watching to see who contributes to her campaign, too. 

Williams and Kennedy have retired from politics.  Neither had a great record as chairpersons of the board, so good riddance.  Their judgment isn't worth much. I doubt their endorsement will help Ierulli.  But they probably have relatives who need jobs.

I hope I never see any of this trio of traitors at any Demo Party event ever again.

I will remind them that the last Peoria Democrat to publicly endorse a Republican, Patty Polk, made a huge mistake and her spouse Jim Polk soon afterwards lost an election. 

Private opinions are one thing, but to publicly endorse people from the other party, the party that helped you win an elective post, makes you a traitor. Begone!

 -- Elaine Hopkins

PS-- Then there's Republican Bobby Schilling, who sent out a mailed 'newsletter' called The Illinois Democrat, apparently hoping to fool the naive into believing he is a Democrat. See a report from WCBU-FM on this newsletter.

He's a one term incumbent running for Congress in the 17th Congressional District against real Democrat Cheri Bustos, in a campaign that has produced lies in TV commercials against her.

This 'newsletter' bragged of union support for Schilling, despite the fact that all but one area union has endorsed Bustos. It also didn't have a union 'bug' on it.

For shame.

Comments

[Vonster]

Traitors? You're losing it, girl.

[Debbie Adlof]

You go Elaine! Something is wrong here and it would indeed be interesting to find out just what it is!

[Scott]

Elaine you are too judgmental when you ascribe motives of payoffs or jobs as the reasons these people support one Republican. In this case you are like right-wing intollerant judgmental bigots who jump to conclusions and demonize someone they disagree with. Your disgust with them endorsing Republicans is fine. But your ascribing being "rewarded secretly" has no basis in fact and is childish and slanderous. Grow up. People can think for themselves and be good Democrats without being told what to believe. It's called pluralism. Freedom. Choice. Tolerance. Respect for differing opinions. I admire you promoting what you belive in, but please respect people's right to differ.