February 2 Morning Edition

POLITICO ILLINOIS
— The Illinois Republican Party is at an inflection point that’s gone beyond the urban vs. rural debate. Now the state party, like its national counterpart, must decide whether it’s in lockstep with former President Donald Trump and his loyal supporters or head down a path that’s more inclusive. The direction it takes will be determined in large part on Saturday, when the state Republican Central Committee selects its next chairman. Current leader Tim Schneider is stepping down after five years in the position. A critical litmus test in replacing Schneider may be the candidates’ views of Rep. Adam Kinzinger and his vote to support Trump’s impeachment. Do they want to censure the 16th District congressman, as some Republicans have called for? Or do they agree to disagree with him, as Schneider has done. Mark Shaw, the Lake County Republican Party chairman who represents the more conservative arm of the party, has talked about censure with Republicans but told Playbook he hasn’t yet decided to take a public stand on the issue. “I have not taken a position yet on whether U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger should be admonished by the Republican Party for his actions and/or comments,” he said in a text. He would not elaborate on his thoughts about Kinzinger’s vote. Shaw is supported by former congressional candidate Jim Oberweis and grassroots conservatives, and he’s also taken heat from pro-Trumpers like Catalina Lauf, centrist state Sen. Sue Rezin, and others. Lauf and Rezin have taken issue with Shaw for endorsing Oberweis in the IL-14 GOP primary weeks before petitions were filed. That Shaw would engineer a campaign in a contested primary to favor a white man over a respected female state senator (Rezin) and a pro-Trump Latina (Lauf) has infuriated many Republicans across the state. Rezin wrote a letter to party leaders in November complaining about Shaw’s actions. And Lauf tweeted over the weekend, saying, “We need a leader who will listen to those on the ground, committed to grassroots, and who can actually lead the GOP in this State on a path forward.” The other candidates applying for state GOP chair say they don’t support Kinzinger’s impeachment vote but they also don’t back censure. “I strongly disagree with Congressman Kinzinger’s vote…but I also oppose an Illinois GOP censure of him,” former Illinois Gaming Board exec Don Tracy told Playbook. Tracy is a downstate Republican who has support from grassroots conservatives as well as centrists. He’s backed by Congressman Darin LaHood and Rodney Davis, state House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, and conservative voice John Tillman. Kendall County Board Chairman Scott Gryder, who has the support of state Rep. Keith Wheeler, echoed Tracy, saying, “We as a party need to focus on what unifies us which is electing candidates that support our small businesses, fight for the middle class, promote transparency in government and fight corruption.” – SHIA KAPOS and MARIA CARRASCO
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2021/02/02/emanuel-as-envoy-inflection-point-for-il-gop-a-call-for-transportation-equity-cps-ctu-cool-off-491601

CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
— Adam Kinzinger is launching a GOP-renewal PAC. Will GOP donors back it? – GREG HINZ (DIERSEN: One would expect that only hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters would back Kinzinger’s PAC.)
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/adam-kinzinger-launching-gop-renewal-pac-will-gop-donors-back-it
(FROM THE ARTICLE: “There has been an undercurrent for a while of people who didn’t like Trump but didn’t have a place to go. Now Adam has provided a place,” says former state Republican Chairman Pat Brady. “I think there will be donors who appreciate what he’s doing and will contribute to it.” Among them will be Brady, who says he “absolutely” will write a check himself. . .Kinzinger’s main Illinois fundraiser is Lisa Wagner. She’s worked for numerous Republican officials here, most considered political moderates.)

WGN TV
— Race plays big factor in CPS reopening fight – Tahman Bradley
https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/role-of-race-plays-big-factor-in-fight-for-reopening-of-cps-schools/

WGN RADIO
— Google antes up $2.6M to settle pay, job discrimination case – AP
(DIERSEN: If I had not been denied my 7th Amendment rights in Diersen v. GAO, I would have presented a jury with evidence that my Democrat GAO superiors paid their employees who were Democrat, minority, female, and/or younger far more than they paid their employees who were Republican, White, male, and/or older and who had similar or more education, work experience, and/or professional certifications and licenses.)
https://wgnradio.com/news/technology-news/google-antes-up-2-6m-to-settle-pay-job-discrimination-case/
(FROM THE ARTICLE: The settlement announced Monday closes a 4-year-old case that the Labor Department brought as part its periodic reviews of the pay practices at federal government contractors such as Google. That inquiry resulted in accusations that during a period spanning from 2014 to 2017, Google paid female engineers less than men in similar positions. The pay discrepancies were cited in several Google offices in its home state of California, as well as at locations in Seattle and Kirkland, Washington. Google had fiercely contested the allegations as unfounded before reaching the settlement without acknowledging any wrongdoing.)

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Facebook is poisoning too many minds. – REX HUPPKE
(DIERSEN: My critics/opponents, their operatives, and their dupes promote Facebook.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/rex-huppke/ct-facebook-conspiracy-extremists-capitol-attack-biden-trump-huppke-20210202-yaw5fimqefdk7hhztl6qjjchwy-story.html

PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
— Mitch McConnell blasts GOP congresswoman Taylor Greene over ‘loony lies’
https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/politics/mitch-mcconnell/2021/02/01/mitch-mcconnell-blasts-rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-over-loony-lies/4349887001/

MADISON
— Wisconsin Republicans grapple with state of party post-Trump – Briana Reilly
(DIERSEN: In Illinois, the fracture has always been between Republicans who support the traditional marriage/family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, and/or equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks in the Republican Party platform and Democrat plants, Libertarian plants, Green plants, Independent plants, and RINOs who reject one or more of the aforesaid planks.)
https://madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/wisconsin-republicans-grapple-with-state-of-party-post-trump/article_7e52d38c-4b9a-5bbf-b15a-48a43d489c02.html

SUBURBAN LIFE
— West Suburban region’s positivity rate drops to 6.5% as DuPage County reports 131 COVID-19 cases Monday – Joshua Welge
https://www.shawlocal.com/my-suburban-life/coronavirus/2021/02/02/west-suburban-regions-positivity-rate-drops-to-65-as-dupage-county-reports-131-covid-19-cases-monday/

CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROUD
— State lawmakers criticize Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards – Demetrios Sanders
https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/state-lawmakers-criticize-culturally-responsive-teaching-and-leading-standards/

CENTER SQUARE ILLINOIS
— Republicans call proposed Illinois teaching standards a political litmus test – Greg Bishop
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/republicans-call-proposed-illinois-teaching-standards-a-political-litmus-test/article_4573cd94-64b6-11eb-a8fc-631113611fa0.html

CHICAGO NOW
— Likely GOP Primary Gov candidate Gary Rabine, Round 2 w/host Berkowitz: Shoot to stop looters or order a police stand-down during a riot? – Jeff Berkowitz
http://www.chicagonow.com/public-affairs-with-jeff-berkowitz/2021/02/likely-gop-primary-gov-candidate-gary-rabine-round-2-whost-berkowitz-shoot-to-stop-looters-or-order-a-police-stand-down-during-a-riot-cable-web/

WASHINGTON FREE BEACON
— Megadonors Pour Record Amount of Money Into ‘Get Out the Vote’ Effort for Dems – Hayden Ludwig
https://freebeacon.com/democrats/megadonors-pour-record-amount-of-money-into-get-out-the-vote-effort-for-dems/

FEDERALIST
— Adam Kinzinger Shouldn’t Be Proud His Family Disowned Him, He Should Be Ashamed – John Daniel Davidson
https://thefederalist.com/2021/02/02/adam-kinzinger-shouldnt-be-proud-his-family-disowned-him-he-should-be-ashamed/

FOX NEWS
— Black Lives Matter backs ‘Squad’ member’s push to expel over 100 Republicans from Congress. ‘It is not enough to denounce the white supremacy behind the attack,’ the group wrote. – Brittany De Lea
(DIERSEN: How soon, if not already, will the Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, Independents, and RINOs in your municipality, in your township, in your county, in Illinois, and in America officially call for the expulsion of the remaining Republicans?)
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/black-lives-matter-backs-squad-members-push-to-expel-over-100-republicans-from-congress
— A fractured Republican party battles it out under Trump’s shadow. This goes far deeper than congressional politics. – Howard Kurtz
(DIERSEN: In Illinois, the fracture has always been between Republicans who support the traditional marriage/family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, and/or equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving) planks in the Republican Party platform and Democrat plants, Libertarian plants, Green plants, Independent plants, and RINOs who reject one or more of the aforesaid planks.)
https://www.foxnews.com/mediabuzz/a-fractured-republican-party-battles-it-out-under-trumps-shadow
— The media wants you fixated on Marjorie Taylor Greene. You should ask why. With all that’s going on in our country, CNN and MSNBC are convinced a freshman GOP lawmaker is the greatest threat. – Tucker Carlson
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/tucker-carlson-marjorie-taylor-greene-cnn-msnbc-reddit-gamestop-national-guard

BREITBART
— Kinzinger: GOP Has to Stop ‘Trying to Appeal More to the Proud Boys Than Suburban Moms’ – Pam Key
(DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, Republican organizations act like they have accepted advice to appeal to voters who are Trump-haters, Democrat, Libertarian, Green, Independent, RINO, minority, female, younger, LGBTQ, non-married, moderate/liberal, poor, non-Christian, non-Protestant, non-Italian American, non-German American, and/or recent immigrants by getting rid of Republican Precinct Committeemen/Captains who are Trump-supporters, Republican, White, male, older, heterosexual, married, conservative, non-poor, Christian, Protestant, Italian American, German American, and/or those whose ancestors have been in America for a long time.)
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2021/02/01/kinzinger-gop-has-to-stop-trying-to-appeal-more-to-the-proud-boys-than-suburban-moms/
— ‘Conservative’ Lincoln Project Spent Entire Ad Budget Against Republicans, For Democrats – ROBERT KRAYCHIK
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/02/01/conservative-lincoln-project-spent-entire-ad-budget-against-republicans-for-democrats/
— Animals First: Activists Want Border Wall Demolished for Wildlife Migration – PENNY STARR
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/02/01/animals-first-activists-want-border-wall-demolished-for-wildlife-migration/
— U.S. Births Plummet amid Coronavirus Crisis – JOHN BINDER
https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2021/02/01/us-births-plummet-coronavirus-crisis/

DAILY CALLER
— A Study Touted As A Blow To Conservatives’ Complaints About Big Tech Censorship Was Funded By A Major Biden Donor – CHUCK ROSS
https://dailycaller.com/2021/02/01/craig-newmark-disinformation-conservative-joe-bide/

DAILY SIGNAL
— New York Times Reviews Book Advocating Blowing Up Pipelines to Combat Climate Change – Tim Graham
https://www.dailysignal.com/2021/02/01/new-york-times-reviews-book-advocating-blowing-up-pipelines-to-combat-climate-change/

NEW AMERICAN
— Illinois Teachers Told to Adopt Progressive Ideology or Be Fired – Annalisa Pesek
https://thenewamerican.com/illinois-teachers-told-to-adopt-progressive-ideology-or-be-fired/

NEWSMAX
— House Dems Want Amnesty for Illegals in Virus Relief Bill
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/amnesty-immigration-daca-tps/2021/02/01/id/1008181/

RUSH LIMBAUGH
— Why Are They So Afraid of Donald Trump Rising from the Ashes?
https://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2021/02/01/why-are-they-so-afraid-of-donald-trump-rising-from-the-ashes/

THE HILL
— DHS encourages vaccination regardless of immigration status – REBECCA BEITSCH
https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/536837-dhs-encourages-vaccination-regardless-of-immigration-status

HUFFINGTON POST
— ‘He Invited Us’: Accused Capitol Rioters Blame Trump In Novel Legal Defense. At least six of the 170 people charged in connection with the Capitol siege have tried to shift at least some of the blame onto Trump. – Jan Wolfe
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/accused-capitol-rioters-blame-trump-legal-defense_n_60195666c5b6bde2f5c2f980

REUTERS
— House Democrat urges Biden to declare white supremacy a national security threat – Nandita Bose
(DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters hint/imply/argue/shout that all Trump-supporters are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, anti-government militia members, fringe conspiracy theory believers, domestic terrorists, and/or even worse things who should be gotten rid of once and for all.)
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-white-supremacy/house-democrat-urges-biden-to-declare-white-supremacy-a-national-security-threat-idUSKBN2A13UN?il=0

YAHOO NEWS
— New mobile museum will teach tolerance across Illinois
(DIERSEN: Democrats use “tolerance” to promote hatred against Republicans.)
https://news.yahoo.com/mobile-museum-teach-tolerance-across-002435765.html

NEW YORK TIMES
— McConnell says ‘loony lies’ spread by Marjorie Taylor Greene are a ‘cancer’ on G.O.P. – Catie Edmondson
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/01/us/politics/mitch-mcconnell-marjorie-taylor-greene.html


— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A hate-filled Republican-hating Republican-hater says “It’s Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Party Now. She embarrasses some Republicans, but she’s no outlier.” In Illinois, the more of the following planks in the Republican Party platform that you support, the more that Democrat plant, Libertarian plant, Green plant, Independent plant, and RINO party leaders make you an outlier: traditional marriage/family, right to life, immigration, illegal drugs, and/or equal opportunity (no race or gender based preference giving).
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/01/opinion/marjorie-taylor-greene-gop.html

LOS ANGELES TIMES
— Republicans (including John Cox) are emerging to run for governor should Newsom recall qualify – SEEMA MEHTA
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-02-01/governor-newsom-recall-candidates-republicans

USA TODAY
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: A hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-hater asks “A pardon for ‘Dreamers?’ and says “Some activists tout amnesty for undocumented immigrants if Congress doesn’t act.”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2021/02/02/biden-immigration-package-some-push-pardons-if-congress-doesnt-act/4294393001/

WALL STREET JOURNAL
— Worried About Ageism? Where You Live Matters. – Clare Ansberry
(DIERSEN: I should write a book about those who promote age discrimination the most in Wheaton, in Milton Township, in DuPage County, and in Illinois.)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/worried-about-ageism-where-you-live-matters-11612198542

WYOMING NEWS
— Sheridan County Republicans latest to censure Cheney – Kristen Czaban
https://www.wyomingnews.com/rocketminer/news/national/sheridan-county-republicans-latest-to-censure-cheney/article_5c592f9a-eb58-57d3-a776-4e84672a624b.html

NEWSWEEK
— DIERSEN HEADLINE: Hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters promote hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters.
https://www.newsweek.com/some-republicans-want-take-gop-back-trump-polls-show-itll-hard-1565835

AXIOS
— Senate resolution to condemn white supremacy – Kadia Goba
(DIERSEN: Ever-increasingly, hate-filled Trump-hating Trump-haters hint/imply/argue/shout that all Trump-supporters are White supremacists, Nazis, KKK members, haters, racists, sexists, bigots, anti-government militia members, fringe conspiracy theory believers, domestic terrorists, and/or even worse things who should be gotten rid of once and for all.)
https://www.axios.com/senate-resolution-condemn-white-supremacy-f0818acf-cf31-4d20-bc7c-d747a38dd736.html

GUARDIAN
— Lincoln Project condemns co-founder accused of making overtures to young men. John Weaver ‘led a secret life that was built on a foundation of deception at every level. He is a predator, a liar, and an abuser – Martin Pengelly
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/01/lincoln-project-john-weaver-accusations-young-men-condemnation

NATIONAL HERALD
— Facebook Oversight Board seeks public feedback on Trump ban
(DIERSEN: I should survey the Republican Precinct Committeemen and Captains in Illinois to get their feedback on how the leaders of a) the Illinois Republican Party, b) their Republican county party organization, and c) their Republican township/ward party organization have treated them. I would focus on communication.)
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/international/facebook-oversight-board-seeks-public-feedback-on-trump-ban

Author: David Diersen

The opinions that I express in GOPUSA ILLINOIS emails are based on experience that I have gained doing many things since 1948. I base my opinions on what I learned a) working for the federal government for almost 30 years -- Post Office 1966-1969, IRS 1971-1980, and GAO 1980-1997, serving on the Executive Committee of the Association of Government Accountants Chicago Chapter 1983-1996, and being a union member while I worked for the Post Office and IRS; b) earning an MBA from Loyola in 1976, a masters degree in accounting from DePaul in 1980, and a masters degree in financial markets and trading from IIT in 1997; c) passing the CPA examination on my first attempt in 1979 and passing the Certified Internal Auditor examination on my first attempt in 1981; c) serving as a Republican Precinct Committeeman since 1999, the GOPUSA Illinois Editor since 2000, the TAPROOT Republicans of Illinois Chairman 2005-2012, a member of the 2008 Illinois Republican Party (IRP) Platform and Resolutions Committee, a Wheaton Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member 2003-2011, the Milton Township Republican Central Committee webmaster 2008-2010 and 2000-2004, an Illinois Center Right Coalition Steering Committee member 2003-2007, and an American Association of Political Consultants Midwest Chapter board member 2001-2004; d) attending the 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 IRP State Conventions as a delegate; e) being the subject of a nasty 4-page article in the February 1978 issue of Money Magazine; f) pursing litigation including Diersen v. GAO and Diersen v. Chicago Car Exchange; g) being married since 1978; h) living in Crete 1948-1972, in University Park 1972-1976, in Chicago 1976-1978, and in DuPage County, Milton Township, and Wheaton since 1978; and i) being baptized, raised, and confirmed as a Missouri Synod Lutheran.