Monday, August 27, 2007

Andy Martin drafts "Anchor Baby Reform Act of 2008"

NEWS UPDATE FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124


“ANCHORS AWAY”

U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN PROPOSES TO ABOLISH “ANCHOR BABIES” AS A BASIS FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO CLAIM U. S. RESIDENCE

LEGISLATIVE EXPERT MARTIN SAYS ARELLANO CIRCUS IN CHICAGO MANDATES CONGRESS EXERCISE ITS CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM OF “ANCHOR BABIES”

(CHICAGO)(August 27, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin told a news conference Monday, August 27th that he is preparing a new federal law to prohibit anchor babies from providing a basis for U. S. residence to illegal immigrants. Martin expects to have a draft of the statute available by Wednesday.

In response to questions from NBC Telemundo, Martin stated that President Bush may have missed an opportunity to push an incremental immigration bill through Congress, instead of concentrating his efforts on passing a global settlement that failed.

“I think the president would have been better served if he had worked to isolate some area of agreement on immigration reform, and passed a limited law. Passing a statute that resolves all issues all at once is going to be virtually impossible. The more complex a proposed law is, the more opportunities for special interests and lobbyists to delay and derail the legislative process.

“As someone who has been immersed in the legislative process for over forty years, I know how to take action and I know how to make progress. I was an expert witness before the U. S. Senate 35 years ago.

“We are drafting a new federal statute, the ‘Anchor Baby Reform Act of 2008,’ and we will be releasing this proposed statute Wednesday,” Martin told media. “We think our approach will pass muster with legal scholars and, obviously, we are exposing our proposals to peer review. Few candidates have the experience and confidence to submit their campaign proposals to such searching examination.”

MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124

CAMPAIGN
WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com

CAMPAIGN
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
------------------------------------------
Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Martin covers regional, national and world events with forty years of personal experience. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; contrariancommentary.wordpress.com. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639. Web sites: ContrarianCommentary.com.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Andy Martin opposes illegal immigrant "anchor babies"

NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124

ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT/DAYBOOK EDITORS

ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCE

“ANCHORS AWAY”

U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN WILL PROPOSE FEDERAL STATUTE TO ABOLISH “ANCHOR BABIES” AS A BASIS FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO CLAIM U. S. RESIDENCE

MARTIN SAYS ARELLANO CIRCUS IN CHICAGO MANDATES CONGRESS TAKE ACTION ON THE LIMITED ISSUE OF “ANCHOR BABIES”

(CHICAGO)(August 27, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold a news conference Monday, August 27th at 2:00 P.M. to announce that he favors adoption of a new federal law to prohibit anchor babies from providing a basis for U. S. residence to illegal immigrants.

“The issue of how to deal with the problems of millions of illegal immigrants is not an easy one,” Martin will state. “And I continue to study all aspects of the matter.

“But I am convinced that Congress has the power to end the practice of granting automatic citizenship to ‘anchor babies.’

“During the past year we have had the Arellano Circus in Chicago, where someone who repeatedly defied the immigration laws of the United States, with the support of members of Congress, tried to use her son as an ‘anchor baby’ to claim U. S. residence.

“I have researched the applicable law in detail, and the legal issues are complex. But I am convinced that Congress has the power to override Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202 (1982), which was itself only a 5-4 decision. Thus, even on the Supreme Court an issue analogous to anchor babies was a closely divided matter.

“Illegals present in the United States are at best ‘visitors.’ They enjoy the protection of U. S. laws, but that does not necessarily mean they are automatically entitled to create citizenship for children that are born during their visits. I don’t think, for example, that Mexico grants automatic citizen to children that are accidentally born there to visitors or tourists.

“The Fourteenth Amendment grants Congress broad powers under section 5. The Supreme Court has shown great deference to congressional enactments in the area of citizenship and naturalization, as indeed it must under Article I, section 8 of the Constitution. Clearly under the legal doctrine of ‘original intent’ the several states did not intend by adoption of the Fourteenth Amendment to grant citizenship to the children of persons who had entered the United States illegally.

“A federal statute would, in order to be constitutional, operate prospectively, i.e. in the future. Congress does not have the power to revoke citizenship that may have been granted under existing interpretations of the law.

“But by removing the anchor baby incentive for illegal immigration we would cut off future Arellano travesties, where someone gives birth to create an anchor for continued illegal presence in the United States.

“The issue of illegal immigration has become increasingly emotional and increasingly irrational. We all need to quiet down and slow down. Illegal immigrants do not have ‘rights’ to violate the laws of the United States. It is high time that both Democrats and Republicans made that clear. Our existing laws and regulatory structure is not working. Reasonable minds can differ on how to resolve the overall immigration controversy; reasonable persons should not disagree with the proposition that the United States has a right to control its borders and to remove those who enter illegally.

"I will try to keep an open mind, but I will seek to force Congress to take action in areas of the immigration controversy where public sentiment has concealed. Clearly, the American people reject the concept of anchor babies, and do not feel that babies should be used as a pretext to encourage violations of U. S. immigration laws. Here, at least, we can probably obtain a wide zone of agreement in both parties on this limited issue. We can reform controversial areas of public policy by starting with small steps, and incremental remediation, not global solutions.

“I will not demonize those who disagree with me, and I will not allow them to demonize me. Candidates for the U. S. Senate have a duty to study constitutional issues—when they have the legal background and experience to do so—and to proffer intelligent and informed suggestions to the voters. That is what I plan to do.

“Later this week I will issue the draft of a proposed statue which can be circulated for debate and which would eliminate anchor babies. I first learned legislative drafting in the Illinois legislature while a law student at the University of Illinois College of Law. I have since drafted other federal statutes which became the basis for scholarly discussion and debate. Today I announce my intention to become a factor in efforts to end anchor babies,” Martin will state.

NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:

WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin

WHERE: Southeast corner of Wabash and Huron Streets,
Chicago, (St. James Cathedral)

WHEN: Monday, August 27, 2007 2:00 P.M.

WHAT: Andy Martin proposes to end “Anchor Babies”
as a basis for U.S. residence by illegal immigrants

MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124

WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com

E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
------------------------------------------
Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Martin covers regional, national and world events with forty years of personal experience. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; contrariancommentary.wordpress.com. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639. Web sites: ContrarianCommentary.com.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Andy Martin vows to abolish bilingual education

NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124

ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT/DAYBOOK EDITORS

ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCE

U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN VOWS TO END BILINGUAL EDUCATION, CALLS BILINGUAL PROGRAMS A “GOVERNMENT-CREATED GHETTO” THAT HAS IMPRISONED MILLIONS OF HELPLESS CHILDREN

(CHICAGO)(August 24, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold a news conference Friday, August 24th at 1:00 P.M. to promise that when he is elected to the Senate he will end bilingual education. Martin calls bilingual education programs a “government-created ghetto that has imprisoned millions of helpless children.”

Martin has a national reputation for supporting official English (http://www.englishforamerica.org) and opposing bilingual education. He was a guest on the former Phil Donahue Show because of his efforts to combat bilingual education.

Unlike other candidates who espouse solutions without any history of advancing the issues, Martin has a long and documented history of fighting to make English our official language and to abolish bilingual education. “Durbin’s opposition researchers can choke on my record of fighting for the civil rights of children,” says Martin. “Every child has a civil right to be taught in English and to learn to speak, write and read English with sufficient proficiency to become a productive adult in our high-tech, world-competitive society.

“I was bilingual from birth,” says Martin, “and the first words I heard were probably in Greek. But I was blessed with a family that spoke English and a mother who encouraged learning. She did not fail me. But the federal government has failed our local schools. As U. S. senator I will not fail children who speak another language at home: I will expect them to speak English in school, only English.

“As U. S. senator, I promise to abolish bilingual education.

“Bilingual education has become a cancer growing inside our public school systems. Public schools have become more concerned with the politics of bilingualism than with advancing the education of children.

“Millions of children have been imprisoned in a government-created linguistic ghetto because of well-meaning but ultimately counterproductive efforts to provide help in other languages when what they really need is equal treatment and equal expectations. English should be the only language in our public education system.

“As the U. S. Supreme Court recently reaffirmed, there is no room for ‘separate but equal’ in our society. You end separation to enforce equality. There is no equality with other languages in the United States. People are free to speak what they want in their private lives. But as a nation we are committed to educating children in the language they will need to master to lead successful lives.

“Esther Cepada’s story in the Sun-Times today (http://www.suntimes.com/news/cepeda/523269,CST-NWS-CEPEDA23.article) is chilling and depressing.

“When second and third generation children in America can’t speak, read and write good English, America has failed these children. We have failed them by treating them as second-class citizens and by branding them with a badge of inferiority as unable to mainstream in English.

“I know families that have come from Eastern Europe and, yes, these children do not enter ‘special’ programs. These kids end up speaking normal English within a year. They continue to converse with parents in their mother tongue at home. There is nothing wrong with that. I can still speak passable Greek. I love languages; but most of all I love the land that received my family and taught them English.

“Bilingual programs fuel resentment at the waste in money, disruption in faculties, and loss of promising young lives. We have become a society that ‘cares’ so much we are ultimately uncaring for the needs of these children.

“Those who seek to abolish bilingual programs are civil rights advocates. They are fighting for the civil rights of children to be treated as equals and to be expected to perform in English. As Cepeda says, English is language of success.

“When children born in America can’t speak English, we have failed.”

NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:

WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin

WHERE: Southeast corner of Wabash and Huron Streets,
Chicago, (St. James Cathedral)

WHEN: Friday, August 24, 2007 1:00 P.M.

WHAT: Andy Martin

MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124

WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com

E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
------------------------------------------
Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Martin covers regional, national and world events with forty years of personal experience. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; contrariancommentary.wordpress.com. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639. Web sites: ContrarianCommentary.com.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Andy Martin questions judgment of "exploratory" opponent

NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124


WAS JIM NALEPA TORTURED BY THE 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION, OR DOES HE HAVE A VIVID IMAGINATION WITH A TENDENCY TO EXAGGERATE?

HERE IS WHAT NALEPA HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE SYSTEMATIC ABUSE OF PRISONERS AT ABU GHRAIB PRISON IN IRAQ:

Jim Nalepa: Detainees at Gitmo and in Abu Ghraib and quite frankly, I had
worse things done to me in the 82nd Airborne Division than had occurred in Abu Ghraib.

See:

http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2007/07/this-weeks-suburban-edition-of-public_24.html

"How could someone make such a statement," asks Andy Martin, "equating U. S. military training with the systematic abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib Prison in Baghdad? Mr. Nalepa has a seriously unbalanced view of both military life and the rules of engagement during conflict. Torture and abuse of detainees is not permitted; the entire world has condemned what took place in Baghdad. Except, of course, Jim Nalepa."

Andy Martin challenges "exploratory" opponent to apologize

NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
Executive Editor
ContrarianCommentary.com
"Factually correct, not
politically correct"

ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT/DAYBOOK EDITORS

ANDY MARTIN DEMANDS THAT JIM NALEPA APOLOGIZE TO AMERICA'S REAL HEROES IN IRAQ, WHO ARE NOT PAPER MACHĒ WARRIORS LIKE NALEPA

(CHICAGO)(August 21, 2007) U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold a toll-free telephone news conference Tuesday, August 21st to demand that "exploratory" senate candidate Jim Nalepa apologize to America's fighting heroes in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Journalists are free to call in from Illinois and around the United States.

"I am distressed that Jim Nalepa can't tell the difference between peeling potatoes and carrying a rifle in combat. His attempt to inflate his own resume, by comparing his paper shuffling in the peacetime Army and the teapot operation in Granada to the war in Iraq shows that Nalepa has no more of an ear for military honor than he does for telling a joke (Springfield State Journal Register story follows below).

"If Nalepa wants to know what real combat is like, he should go to the WashingtonPost.com:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/18/AR2007081801270.html

"Congressman Lipinski made light of Nalepa's 'warrior manqué' status, and I do too. Comparing a paper-shuffling press officer such as Nalepa to a combat infantryman in a firefight shows typical West Point contempt for enlisted men and NCO's.

"Nalepa went to college at West Point 30 years ago; he is still trading on his undergraduate degree. What has he done lately? He is in business, but without a public mailing address or phone number. Nalepa ran for office twice and lost, yet the liberal media slather over 'Warrior Jimmy.' Maybe the liberals know something about Nalepa that conservatives don't.

"'Tail Gunner Joe' disgraced Wisconsin Republicans. I hope that Nalepa does not aspire to become 'Tail Gunner Nalepa,' and trade on his military background to the point of self-parody and embarrassment.

"I have seen more combat and more firefights and more danger than Nalepa has ever dreamed of, but I would not think of equating what I did as a civilian with the actions of the brave men I accompanied in battle. I have an Honorable Discharge (copy on request) and a Serial Number (AF 16821011) but I was never a 'Saigon Commando' the way Nalepa was a 'commando' in the peacetime army, drinking beer in Germany.

"Nalepa should apologize to our fighting men and women on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan for comparing himself as a peacetime paper-shuffler to their service in harm's way today. Like many West Pointers, and I have known a few, Nalepa is a slick talker. Nalepa has been 'exploring' a campaign for the senate for months—not since last week—but he lacks the courage to come out fighting and announce. He stands back, puffs up and fires cheap shots, just like a rear echelon paper shuffler.

"Nalepa, this time the joke's on you."

SPRINGFIELD STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
Bernard Schoenburg Column:
Published Sunday, August 19, 2007
THAT’S NO JOKE
Some jokes work, and some jokes don’t.
I think it’s safe to say that JIM NALEPA of Hinsdale, who is considering a run against Durbin in 2008, told one that didn’t quite work last week as members of the Republican State Central Committee and Illinois Republican County Chairmen’s Association gathered at a hotel to start off Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to take this opportunity and hush the crowd a bit, and like to take a moment of silence in remembrance of a great American. Dear Lord, please watch over your humble servant whose memory we honor today. He brought a lot to this great nation, and mourn your loss, along with our governor, Roderick (sic) Blagojevich, whose idol you are, Elvis Aaron Presley, on (the) 30th anniversary of your death.”
I would say kind of a shocked silence ensued.
“Well, I thought I was going to get a laugh out of that one,” he said — and at least people chuckled at that line.
“I’m a far better political speaker than I am a joke teller,” he said later, “and I would rather have the former than the latter.”
In his prepared remarks about Durbin, Nalepa, who twice ran for Congress in the 1990s against then-U. S. Rep. BILL LIPINSKI, D-Chicago, took a distinctly tougher tone. He called the Springfield Democrat “a politician who revels in the cheap shot” and “who has become a national embarrassment.”
“Senator Durbin wants to provide scholarships to illegal aliens and send them to our colleges. I want to build the fence and secure our borders,” Nalepa said. “Senator Durbin compares men and women at Guantanamo to Nazis, and I call them heroes.”
Nalepa said in an interview later that he does not condone torture or illegal acts by Americans. But he thinks Durbin’s Senate floor comments in June 2005 comparing the treatment of some prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to that meted out by strong-arm regimes ended up “tarring our every single American man and woman in uniform with the same brush.” And he found Durbin’s apology “lukewarm at best.”
Nalepa, 50, a West Point graduate who now runs an executive recruiting firm, also said he thinks Durbin is “a mouthpiece for the hard-core left.”
Nalepa, who rose to captain and whose six years of active duty included three years in Germany, where he was with combat-oriented units, says he participated in the U.S. rescue mission in Grenada in 1983, where he was public affairs officer. He said Lipinski, during campaigns, made light of that job — but shouldn’t have.
“I don’t want to characterize myself as the heroes that are in Iraq, but whether you’re a cook or whether you’re a mechanic, whenever you put on America’s uniform and you’re in a combat zone, you’re in the line of fire,” Nalepa said.
While Nalepa hasn’t formally announced for the nomination, two announced candidates — ANDY MARTIN of Chicago and Dr. STEVE SAUERBERG of Willowbrook — also spoke. Sauerberg called Durbin “the most liberal and divisive senator in this nation.”
MICHAEL DALY, spokesman for Durbin, said it’s not yet time to respond to specific allegations from possible nominees.
“These people are running against one another, not Senator Durbin,” Daly said. “When they’re finished deciding who’s going to run and who the nominee is, we’ll have plenty of time for this debate.”

ANDY MARTIN NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:

WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin

WHERE: Telephone news conference:

Toll-free call-in number: (866) 295-5950

Participant code: 2090340

WHEN: Tuesday, August 21 at 10:00 A.M.

WHAT: Andy Martin demands that Jim Nalepa apologize to
America's fighting heroes in Iraq and Afghanistan.

MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124

WEBSITES: ContrarianCommentary.com; AndyforUSSenator.com

E-MAIL: AndyMart20@aol.com
------------------------------------------
Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Martin covers national and world politics with forty years of personal experience. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; contrariancommentary.wordpress.com. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Andy Martin news conference issues debate challenge

NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2007

ANDY MARTIN ISSUES DEBATE CHALLENGE TO PRIMARY OPPONENTS

(Chicago)(August 17, 2007) Illinois U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin told a Friday afternoon Chicago news conference that he had issued a debate challenge to both of his putative U. S. Senate primary opponents.

“It took a little work to send the challenge,” Martin told media, “because Steve Sauerberg still does not have a campaign fax number publicly listed, and Jim Nalepa does not list either a mailing address or a phone number for his own business on the web (http://www.jimnalepa.com) so we sent the challenge to Nalepa’s press agent. My own campaign lists a phone, fax and street address for regular mail. We are accessible to the public and the media.

Andy’s debate letter can be seen at:

http://www.andyforussenator.blogspot.com

“Downstaters have complained they are ignored by the Chicago Machine that controls all three branches of Illinois state government. As an original downstater myself, whom the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette still refers to as a former hometown boy, I have proposed ‘weighting’ the debates in favor of downstate cities, with six debates downstate, two in the collar counties and two in Cook County.

“I have offered to join in a three-way pact among the candidates to agree to support the winner of the primary. I will see if my opponents are prepared to make a similar commitment.

“I have suggested Andy McKenna and the state Republican Party organize the debates; I am open to all suggestions.

“All I know is that Dick Durbin is a heavyweight debater and quipster. My opponents cannot expect to chirp their way into the U. S. Senate by learning during the campaign how to confront Goliath Durbin.

“In the Fighting Illini spirit of ‘Send Ameche at me,’ I believe no one can seriously deny that I am prepared to confront and debate Durbin. The Chicago Tribune has attested to my prowess as a powerful campaigner (Chicago Tribune, 2/28/78). I helped build an Interstate Highway down the spine of this state (I-39)(Chicago Tribune 2/28/78). What have my opponents built?

“After their performance in Springfield yesterday, can anyone seriously suggest my opponents are ready to tackle Durbin? They were the ‘not-ready-for-prime-time players.’

“We are not going to win the 2008 election with candidates who are mouthing the same old platitudes. A candidate needs a serious strategy which is planned in Illinois, in 2007-2008, not a stale joke book and a list of Republican one-liners from the 1980’s.

“My campaign is a campaign precisely because we offer a fresh perspective and a real opportunity to seriously confront Durbin. The liberal media in Chicago love covering my opponents—because they know my primary opponents offer a stale, pale imitation of a serious threat to Tricky Dick.

”I was trained in the Fighting Illini spirit, and I am prepared to attack Durbin on his malfeasance, not blather about his being ‘too liberal.’ We all know that. Steve and Jim, tell us something new,” Martin challenged his opponents.

------------------------------------------------
Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; ContrarianCommentary.wordpress.com

Martin has forty years of experience covering regional, national and world politics. Andy holds a Juris Doctor degree (1969) from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Toll-free media contact: (866) 706-2639. Web sites/blogs: AndyforUSSenator.com. AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com; AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com

Andy Martin issues debate challenge to Senate primary opponents

ANDY MARTIN
The Right Republican for
U. S. Senator from Illinois/2008
Suite 4406, 30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Toll-free tel. (866) 706-2639
Toll-free fax (866) 707-2639
Web site: www.AndyforUSSenator.com
E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com

August 17, 2007

Steve Sauerberg
5201 S. Willow Springs Road
LaGrange, IL 60525
via fax (708) 482-9034

Jim Nalepa
c/o Laura Grock
Martin E. Janis & Co. Public Relations
401 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
Via fax (312) 943-3583

DEBATE CHALLENGE

Dear Steve & Jim:

I would like to challenge both of you to a series of ten (10) debates, six in downstate communities, two in the collar counties and two in Cook County.

We owe the voters a vigorous debate on the issues and a full explication of our qualifications for the U. S. Senate.

In order to demonstrate our loyalty to the Republican Party, I am prepared to commit to support the winner of the U. S. Senate primary if you are prepared to do likewise. If you would like to join me in this mutual commitment to support the winner of the primary please let me know.

I suggest we jointly ask the Chairman McKenna and the state party to schedule the debates expeditiously, with our mutual schedule clearances, and that we do so early in the season before other events create scheduling conflicts.

I could find neither a phone nor a fax listed for Jim, and no campaign fax for Steve; I would appreciate it if you would furnish my campaign with this information so we may facilitate inter-campaign communication.

I await your response.

With all best wishes,

ANDY MARTIN

AM:sp

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Andy Martin issues debate challenge to primary election opponents

NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124

ATTENTION: DAYBOOK, ASSIGNMENT EDITORS

ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2007

U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN ISSUES DEBATE CHALLENGE

(Chicago)(August 17, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold a Chicago news conference Friday, August 17th to challenge his potential primary opponents to a series of statewide debates.

“We need an open party and an open primary,” Martin will state. “Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair was an outstanding success because all were welcome.

“Indeed, our county chairmen were given a surprise ‘first look’ at the U. S. Senate candidates, and I received an overwhelmingly favorable response. The impression of the assembled media was a consensus that I won the joint appearance because I spoke on an impromptu basis without a written speech or notes.

“We are kidding ourselves if we think screaming ‘liberal’ at Dick Durbin is enough to make him go down to defeat. My impression is that my opponents lack a coherent strategy for campaigning against Durbin. They think slogans are a substitute for substance. I will match my qualifications and experience and credibility against that of any candidate, announced or unannounced.

“It is in this spirit of openness that I challenge my opponents to debate across the state. I challenge them to a series of ten (10) debates, in cities to be selected.

“What primary voters want is what the county chairmen got—a free and open debate where the candidates present their qualifications and the party remains neutral. I am prepared to take on all comers.

“I don’t see how anyone can seriously expect to
challenge Senator Durbin if they are afraid to debate me,” Martin stated in issuing his challenge. “Either the candidates could agree on the times and places, or the state party could make the arrangements. The state party has shown a willingness to respect an open playing field and I trust the state party to stay neutral.

“Either way, I will be there,” Martin will state. “And if
they are not there, I’ll debate an empty chair. To paraphrase Joe Louis, they can ‘run,’ but they can’t hide [from the voters].”

Martin’s challenge is being delivered to announced and
unannounced candidates Friday afternoon.

Martin returns to Chicago from Springfield Friday morning
after a strategy breakfast with supporters.

WHO: U. S. Senate candidate/Internet
journalist/editor/critic Andy Martin

WHERE: Southeast corner of Huron and Wabash Streets, Chicago
(St. James cathedral)

WHEN: Friday, August 17, 2007 4:00 P.M.

MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124 (also forwarded to cell)

WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com

E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com

------------------------------------------------
Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; ContrarianCommentary.wordpress.com
Martin has forty years of experience covering regional, national and world politics. Andy holds a Juris Doctor degree (1969) from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639. Web sites/blogs: AndyforUSSenator.com. AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com; AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com

Andy Martin delivers powerful speech to Republican leaders

NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124

ATTENTION: DAYBOOK, ASSIGNMENT EDITORS

ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 16, 2007

U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN DELIVERS POWERFUL SPEECH TO REPUBLICAN PARTY LEADERS IN SPRINGFIELD

NEWS CONFERENCE AT ILLINOIS STATE FAIR

(Springfield)(August 16, 2007) Speaking in a booming voice to a meeting of Illinois Republican Party County Chairmen, U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin delivered a powerful speech that chided one of his potential opponents for being afraid to announce as a candidate.

“In the U. S. Army,” Martin told Jim Nalepa, “they don’t say ‘Ready, Aim, Explore.’ If the Founding Fathers has signed a Declaration of Exploration instead of a Declaration of Independence we would still be British.” Martin invited Nalepa to enter the senate primary.

Martin also thanked Illinois State Chairman Andy McKenna for organizing the event.

Martin will hold a Springfield (Illinois) news conference today at the Illinois State Fair.

Martin will be at the State Fair soliciting petition signatures to place his name on the primary ballot for U. S. Senator.

Martin has set up his campaign “fighting camp” at the Crowne Plaza Hotel where he can be reached in Room 924. He will remain in Springfield Thursday afternoon and evening and return to Chicago Friday morning.

“Thursday I will be at the State Fair trying to get as many signatures as possible on my nominating petitions. I am running an old-fashioned grass roots campaign, the antithesis of the ‘plastic politics’ practiced by other candidates. We are executing our campaign plan on schedule; our playbook takes us in stages through to February 5th.

“Meanwhile our very motivated petition circulators are continuing their work in the Chicago area.”

WHO: U. S. Senate candidate/Internet
journalist/editor/critic Andy Martin

WHERE: Illinois State Fair, Director’s Lawn

WHEN: Thursday, August 16, 2007 1:00 P.M.

MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124 (forwarded to cell)

WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com

E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com

------------------------------------------------
Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; ContrarianCommentary.wordpress.com

Martin has forty years of experience covering regional, national and world politics. Andy holds a Juris Doctor degree (1969) from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639. Web sites/blogs: ContrarianCommentary.com; AndyforUSSenator.com. AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com; AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Andy Martin predicts "straw poll surprise" at Illinois State Fair

NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124

ATTENTION: DAYBOOK, ASSIGNMENT EDITORS

ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 15, 2007

U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN PREDICTS REPUBLICAN PARTY “STRAW POLL SURPRISE”

CANDIDATE IS “RIDING THE RAILS” TO SPRINGFIELD WEDNESDAY, FOR STATE FAIR PETITION PUSH

(Springfield)(August 15, 2007) Chicago-based U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold a Springfield (Illinois) news conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Wednesday to discuss Thursday’s Republican Party Straw Poll at the Illinois State Fair.

Martin will also be at the State Fair soliciting petition signatures to place his name on the primary ballot for U. S. Senator.

“I will be wearing two hats in Springfield,” Martin says, “Both as an opinion columnist an as a candidate seeking signatures to put his name on the ballot.

“Wednesday afternoon we will hold a news conference at our ‘fighting camp’ at the Crowne Plaza Hotel to make our analysis and predictions known. We think there is going to be a ‘State Fair Surprise’ at the Presidential Straw Poll. The Republican Party’s straw poll is going to surprise a lot of people. The Party’s leadership is to be commended for organizing this new event.

“Thursday I will be at the State Fair trying to get as many signatures as possible on my nominating petitions. I am running an old fashioned grass roots campaign, the antithesis of the ‘plastic politics’ practiced by my potential opponents. We are executing our campaign plan on schedule; our play book takes us in stages through to February 5th. Meanwhile our very motivated petition circulators will also be continuing their work in the Chicago area.”

WHO: U. S. Senate candidate/Internet
journalist/editor/critic Andy Martin

WHERE: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dirksen Parkway, Springfield
Please ask for Mr. Martin’s suite number
at the reception desk

WHEN: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 5:00 P.M.

MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124 (forwarded to cell)

WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com

E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com

------------------------------------------------
Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; ContrarianCommentary.wordpress.com

Martin has forty years of experience covering regional, national and world politics. Andy holds a Juris Doctor degree (1969) from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639. Web sites/blogs: ContrarianCommentary.com; AndyforUSSenator.com. AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com; AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com

Monday, August 13, 2007

Andy Martin Alerts Republican Party to Lack of State Fair Identification

ANDY MARTIN
The Right Republican for
U. S. Senator from Illinois/2008
Suite 4406, 30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Toll-free tel. (866) 706-2639
Toll-free fax (866) 707-2639
Web site: www.AndyforUSSenator.com
E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com

August 13, 2007

Mr. Andy McKenna, Chairman
Illinois Republican arty
205 W. Randolph
Chicago, IL 60606
via fax (312) 201-0181

Re: Republican Day/Straw Poll at the State Fair

Dear Andy:

Because we were doing some research for our circulator team for Thursday, we went to the Illinois State fair web site and looked at Thursday’s events: http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/events/display04.php?D=2007-08-16&Time=T&Event=&Loc=999.

There was no mention of Republican Day or the Straw Poll or any activity by the Illinois Republican Party. I am concerned that many Republicans will do exactly what I did, look at the State Fair web site, find nothing and get discouraged. We all want a big turnout. The poll is listed on weareillinois.org, but the Fair’s web site is also critical.

There is nothing I can do about this information gap but I wanted to bring it to your attention so you could decide whether to take action.

Cordially,


ANDY MARTIN

AM:sp

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Andy Martin rides the rails, says working families suffer in budget crisis

NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
Republican for U. S. Senator
30 E. Huron Street, Suite 4406
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124

ATTENTION: DAYBOOK, ASSIGNMENT EDITORS

ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCES FRIDAY, AUGUST 10

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 9, 2007

ANDY MARTIN PETITION DRIVE RIDES THE RAILS TO DOWNERS GROVE MAIN STREET, THEN UNION STATION, SEEKING SIGNATURES AND DISCUSSING PROPOSED RTA/CTA CONGESTION PRICING TO MEET STATE BUDGET CRISIS

(CHICAGO)(August 9, 2007) Chicago-based U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will carry his nominating petition drive to Downers Grove Main Street Metra Rail station Friday morning, and then into Union Station Chicago, with news conferences discussing congestion pricing for CTA and RTA services as a response to the Springfield budget crisis.

“I am out there personally asking registered voters to sign my petitions,” Martin says. “Unlike Limousine Liberal Durbin, I actually use public transportation. I care how people get to work, and I care what it costs working families.

“I am a little amazed that the RTA/CTA has proposed congestion pricing without much media reaction; in New York, the mayor’s proposal for congestion pricing applied to cars has triggered uproar. I want to listen to what the public has to say about proposed congestion pricing in Illinois that would price CTA rail tickets differently during the rush hour. It looks like the state legislature is dumping the budget crisis on working families.

“Friday we will start seeking petition signatures in Republican vote-rich Downers Grove at 7:00 A.M., and continue to Union Station at 10:45 A.M.”

NEWS CONFERENCE #1 DETAILS:

WHO: U. S. Senate candidate/Internet
journalist/editor/critic Andy Martin

WHERE: Downers Grove Main Street Metra Rail station,
downtown Downers Grove

WHEN: Friday, August 10, 2007 9:00 A.M.

WHAT: Congestion pricing and the state budget crisis

NEWS CONFERENCE #2 DETAILS:

WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin

WHERE: Union Station, Chicago
Train # 1264 arrival track

WHEN: Friday, August 10, 2007 11:42 A.M.

WHAT: Congestion pricing and the state budget crisis

MEDIA
CONTACT: OFFICE: (312) 440-4124;

WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com

E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com

------------------------------------------------
Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; ContrarianCommentary.wordpress.com

Martin has forty years of experience covering regional, national and world politics. Andy holds a Juris Doctor degree (1969) from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639. Web sites/blogs: ContrarianCommentary.com; AndyforUSSenator.com. AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com; AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com

Andy Martin on anti-Semitism and American politics

ANDY MARTIN
The Right Republican for
U. S. Senator from Illinois/2008
Suite 4406, 30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Toll-free tel. (866) 706-2639
Toll-free fax (866) 707-2639
Web site: www.AndyforUSSenator.com
E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com

August 9, 2007

Dear Reader:

My worldwide news gathering information systems monitor all aspects of the Middle East (see ContrarianCommentary.com). That is why we were able to predict the disaster in Iraq long before the bureaucrats in Washington and the Green Zone.

In a “libel” letter earlier today I told you that extremist Israelis had attacked President Bush 41, and were now attacking Bush 43. They are also attacking me.

What should pop up in my in box today but another screed attacking President Bush (see excerpt below).

I want to repeat what I said in my letter to Eric Krol (copy on request). American foreign policy should be conducted solely in the interests of the United States. Period.

It is wrong for pro-Israel journalists in the United States to seek to suppress debate by branding opponents of Israeli policies as “anti-Semitic.”

Both my campaign and, if I am elected, my senate office, will be open to all points of view. All are and will be welcome. There will be no anti-Semitism of any kind.

But my oath of office will be to the Constitution of the United States, and the American People. Period.

Sincerely yours,

ANDY

AM:sp

Here is the excerpt (source upon request).

……….
Dear friends, I need to share something with you that has worried me for some time, ever since President Bush gave his famous two-state-vision speech on June 24, 2002. Unfortunately, since that speech, this two-state-vision has become the cornerstone of his Middle-East policy. I have often wondered why it is that President Bush feels so adamant about dividing the Holy Land. Bush said recently: "The Israelis should find practical ways to reduce their footprints in Judea and Samaria." A shocking request! In her most recent visit to Israel, Condoleezza Rice, as President Bush's official messenger, said the following: "Israel is occupying Palestinian land! JUDEA AND SAMARIA MUST BE PART OF AN ARAB STATE." This is how she speaks about the heartland of biblical Israel? But, Condoleezza Rice graciously allows that "Israel may retain the Galil and the Negev!" How outrageous and arrogant of President Bush and his government to feel that they can supersede the word of the G-d of Israel! (Very often I get letters from you, my e-mail friends, as to whether I admit that I made a mistake in working for the reelection of President Bush against John Kerry. I knew, at the time, that Bush was not the perfect candidate for the Jews, because of his family background, but I had reliable information about Kerry which seemed to make him a worse candidate. I had learned that Kerry actually had been sending presents to Arafat.) Recently, I have learned that President Bush is a member of the United Methodist Church, and that this church may be a proponent of Replacement Theology. I am also greatly disturbed by President Bush's proposed $20 billion arms sale to jihad-promoting Saudi Arabia.

……………

Andy Martin sends libel notice to Daily Herald

ANDY MARTIN
The Right Republican for
U. S. Senator from Illinois/2008
Suite 4406, 30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Toll-free tel. (866) 706-2639
Toll-free fax (866) 707-2639
Web site: www.AndyforUSSenator.com
E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com

August 9, 2007

Mr. Eric Krol
Daily Herald
P. O. Box 280
Arlington heights, IL 60006-0280
Via fax (847) 427-1301

REQUEST FOR RETRACTION

LEGAL NOTICE PURSUANT TO ILLINOIS LAW

Dear Eric:

On August 2, 2007 you wrote that I was “known for a history of anti-Semitic remarks.” That statement is simply not true, and it is false and defamatory. I am writing to request a retraction. A retraction will avoid any need to consider legal remedies which may be available to me.

First, I am aware that media are given great latitude in covering campaigns, Monitor Patriot v. Roy, 401 U. S. 265 (1971). But that latitude is not unlimited. Id. And, false accusations are actionable when they stem from the malice of the writer, see e.g. McDonald v. Smith, 472 U. S. 479 (1985); Myers v. Levy, 808 N.E.2d 1139, 1151-1152 (Ill. 2d Dist. 2004).

I have never met you in person and outside of the political context I know nothing about you. You appear to suffer from the same sort of professional disability manifested by Rick Pearson of the Chicago Tribune, who is obsessed with smearing me and publishing false and misleading and defamatory claims. I have no idea why Pearson is obsessed with me, and I have no idea why you manifest the same behavior. The Tribune has been paying lawyers to harass me for two years; your firm may have to engage the same counsel if we are unable to resolve our differences without litigation.

I think it is apodictic that a newspaper reporter should not use his role in the institution to propagandize on behalf of his own personal or religious bias or allow such feelings to contaminate his coverage.

In my broadcasting and writing I have been critical of the policies of the State of Israel. I have been a strong supporter of United Nations resolutions endorsing the creation of a Palestinian state. I believe our Middle East policies are self-destructive to the foreign policy interests of the United States. But my own Andy Martin Peace Plan, first promulgated in 2000, endorsed using U. S. armed forces to police the Green Line, so I am hardly unconcerned about the safety of either Israelis or Palestinians.

President George H. W. Bush was called an anti-Semite for following international law, and recently I have seen where the extreme right in Israel is now accusing George W. Bush of being hostile to Israel. Frankly, the American people are getting fed up and tired of people such as yourself who characterize as “anti-Semites” anyone who supports a fair and balanced Middle East policy. Enough already.

During the 1980’s I was an involuntary party to some particularly distasteful litigation in Connecticut. Recent Freedom of Information (“FOIA”) disclosures, belatedly released by the federal government, have confirmed that I was the victim of thoroughly corrupt proceedings designed to steal my property.[1] As a defense to the theft of my property I filed civil rights claims seeking to block the thieves.[2] It was painful for me to have to advance legal claims that were as unfortunate as they were unavoidable. But it is an axiom of law that parties and their lawyers often have to make arguments that go against their own feelings. Nevertheless, the U. S. Supreme Court in Shaare Tefila v. Cobb, 481 U. S. 615 (1987) shortly thereafter endorsed the very civil rights theory I had advanced in Connecticut.

I have devoted a substantial part of my adult life to fighting for civil rights, and against bigotry; and I will continue to do so in the U. S. Senate.

If you and your paper’s attorneys want to resolve this matter without litigation I encourage you to act responsibly and do so with an apology and retraction. Failing same, I will avail myself of any remedies which the law provides to protect my good name and reputation.

Please feel free to have your attorneys contact me if they wish to discuss this matter.



Sincerely yours,





ANDY MARTIN


AM:sp
[1] One of the attorneys appearing before the crooked judge seeking to steal my property was simultaneously representing the judge in his pending divorce proceedings. There is no way a judge should have allowed his own personal attorney in a pending case to appear before him. The judge was enraged when I exposed his abuse of authority and lack of respect for due process. But then as those of us who live in Chicago know, judges who are exposed as crooks often strike back to discredit their accusers.

[2] In 2004 I publicly waived any privacy rights I had to any files of the federal government, and I am prepared to waive those rights again upon written request to do so. I have nothing to hide, and new FOIA requests might even dislodge more information. If it is facts you want to research and report, instead of bile and bias, I am as open a candidate as any you will ever encounter. Given the Tribune’s failing finances, they should be trying to avoid lawsuits as well, but their overwhelming hubris is doing them in.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Andy Martin prepares for Illinois State Fair

ANDY MARTIN
The Right Republican for
U. S. Senator from Illinois/2008
Suite 4406, 30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Toll-free tel. (866) 706-2639
Toll-free fax (866) 707-2639
Web site: www.AndyforUSSenator.com
E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com

August 8, 2007

Mr. Andy McKenna
Chairman
Illinois Republican arty
205 W. Randolph
Chicago, IL 60606
via fax (312) 201-0181

Re: Republican Day at the State Fair

Dear Andy:

My campaign has arranged for hotel space in Springfield for the State Fair, and I will be coming to the state party meeting next Thursday morning (16th). I arrive Wednesday to set up our fighting camp.

We are planning to have petition circulators in the vicinity of the straw poll, to ask people who vote in the straw poll to sign my petitions. I assume there is no problem with that.

However, it does not seem that much is being done to showcase the senate primary candidates.

Why don’t you consider staging an event for the U. S. Senate candidates? The more people that get interested in the primary, the more people will be potentially involved in the party.

I am certainly willing to debate Steve Sauerberg, MD anywhere, any place, any time; you may want to consider sponsoring such an event. And if Steve insists I’ll even debate tort reform.

I am assuming our madcap governor will not cancel the fair. But then where Blah Blah Blago is concerned we can’t assume very much.

If I can be of any help next Thursday (August 16th) please do not hesitate to ask.

Cordially,

ANDY MARTIN

AM:sp

Monday, August 6, 2007

Andy Martin circulates nominating petitions; news conferences in Wheaton, Chicago

NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124

ATTENTION: DAYBOOK, ASSIGNMENT EDITORS

ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 7, 2007

ON FIRST DAY TO CIRCULATE NOMINATING PETITIONS ANDY MARTIN LAUNCHES U. S. SENATE BID WITH NEWS CONFERENCES IN WHEATON AND CHICAGO

(CHICAGO)(August 7, 2007) Chicago-based U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will launch his campaign for the U. S. Senate by soliciting petition signatures in Republican vote-rich DuPage County on Tuesday, August 7th, the first day state law allows for circulating nominating petitions. Martin will meet commuters and later campaign in downtown Chicago.

“Tuesday is the first day state law allows to circulate nominating petitions,” Martin says, “and I will be out there personally asking registered voters to sign my petitions.

“We will begin Tuesday morning in Republican vote-rich DuPage County, and later continue in downtown Chicago.

“I want to demonstrate my personal commitment to the campaign by taking a leading role in soliciting signatures,” Martin says. “We are building a statewide team of petition circulators. I will lead from the front.”

NEWS CONFERENCE #1 DETAILS:

WHO: U. S. Senate candidate/Internet
journalist/editor/critic Andy Martin

WHERE: Wheaton Metra train station, downtown Wheaton

WHEN: Tuesday, August 7, 2007 9:00 A.M.

NEWS CONFERENCE #2 DETAILS:

WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin

WHERE: Daley Plaza, Daley Center,
In front of Picasso sculpture

WHEN: Tuesday, August 7, 2007 3:00 P.M.

WHAT: Andy Martin

MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124

WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com

E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com

------------------------------------------------
Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; ContrarianCommentary.wordpress.com

Martin has forty years of experience covering regional, national and world politics. Andy holds a Juris Doctor degree (1969) from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639. Web sites/blogs: ContrarianCommentary.com; AndyforUSSenator.com. AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com; AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com

ANDY MARTIN RECOGNIZED BY BUSINESS WEEK

NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 6, 2007

ILLINOIS’ ANDY MARTIN IS FEATURED NATIONALLY IN BUSINESS WEEK AS A LEADING CONSUMER ADVOCATE FIGHTING HOME BUILDING AND FINANCIAL ABUSES

(CHICAGO)(August 6, 2007) On the eve of his circulating nominating petitions for the United States Senate, Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster, consumer advocate and foreign policy expert Andy Martin is featured in Business Week online as a leading national consumer advocate fighting home builder abuses.

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/07/08/0802_gripe/index_01.htm (“The ‘Fight’ Sites”) (Andy is #13, on the right of the slide show, perhaps a coincidence?)

“Since founding the Illinois Consumer Council in 1970 (http://www.andymartin.com/bio.htm),” Martin stated, “I have been on the cutting edge of consumer action to protect the public. It is an unparalleled more than a third of a century of activism, integrity and public service. No other Republican and no other candidate can run on such an exemplary record. My efforts receive both national recognition and requests for support nationally.

“Even as I campaign for office and continue to lead an independent news organization that is respected worldwide, I will not forget and we will do our best to continue to serve and protect the ‘little people’ that have been victimized by predatory builders.”

------------------------------------------------
Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. His columns are also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; ContrarianCommentary.wordpress.com

Martin has forty years of experience involved in regional, national and world politics. Andy holds a Juris Doctor degree (1969) from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639. Web sites: ContrarianCommentary.com; AndyforUSSenator.com.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

ANDY MARTIN SAYS "SLIPPERY STEVE" SAUERBERG IS BACK

NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 2, 2007


ILLINOIS U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN SAYS "'SLIPPERY STEVE' SAUERBERG SAYS HE'S NOT A POLITICIAN, AND HE PROVES IT"


(CHICAGO)(August 2, 2007) Chicago-based U. S. Senate candidate, Internet journalist, broadcaster and foreign policy expert Andy Martin today took note of the "second" entry of "Slippery Steve" Sauerberg in the Illinois Republican Party U. S. Senate primary.

"Eric Krol, a Daily Herald columnist, doesn't particularly care for me," Martin stated at his headquarters. "But I am still laughing after reading Krol's blog on Steve Sauerberg's 'second coming' into the Republican senate primary. 'Slippery Steve Sauerberg' is hilarious.

"Steve says he is 'not a politician,' and he proves it.

"It looks as though Sauerberg is more liberal than I am, and he is supposed to represent the 'conservative' wing of the party. Hallelujah.

"In sum and substance, Steve Sauerberg is not a serious candidate for U. S. Senator, and his candidacy is laughable. There are rumors that he offered himself up as a sacrificial candidate to derail my own campaign. Those rumors look pretty credible after yesterday.

"While vanity candidates are always welcome, Sauerberg is not only not a politician, he has no idea how the political process functions.

"Sauerberg made an initial announcement in May. Yesterday he came back with a 'second coming,' and indicated he still had no idea where he stood on issues. He supports an assault weapons ban? What kind? Sauerberg couldn't say. After three months S'berg was still a blank canvas on the Second Amendment. And he's running in a Republican primary?

"Sauerberg supports abortion, but won’t say when and how. And he's a doctor? Wouldn't a doctor, at least, have some definite ideas on abortion? Not 'Slippery Steve.' He won't say.

"Sauerberg confuses Americans' dislike of 'career' politicians with their equally strong demands for experienced candidates. Americans are dying in Iraq; for Sauerberg that was not one of his 'Ten Top Issues' yesterday. Instead, he marched down to Durbin's office to confront the senator over 'real tort reform.' Hello? Is this what sets Sauerberg's blood running? Special interests for doctors? He's Durbin lite, with special pleading for his doctor friends. The man is a joke. Sauerberg's 'experience' does not extend any further than the pen of his press release writer. He is a comic book candidate in every sense of the word.

"Sauerberg has no experience in foreign policy and national security, so he focuses on minutiae. Where does he stand on the big picture? Sauerberg is home watching TV. Or out to lunch.

"I welcomed Sauerberg to the race in May, and I still do. If he wants to run and make a fool of himself he should. It makes me look good.

"No one questions my ability to function in the media. Thirty years ago, the Chicago Tribune said '[Martin] is an absolutely brilliant campaigner…his public relations skills are masterly. He makes a point of studying specific issues and …and talking about them knowledgeably to the appropriate audience.' (Chicago Tribune, February 25, 1978) The Tribune's comments confirm that I am the only candidate in Illinois history who helped build an Interstate Highway, from Rockford to Bloomington (I-39).

"And, I have improved with age and experience.

"No one doubts my ability to go eyeball to eyeball with Durbin, and confront him. And whip him.

"My experience in the pivotal Middle East is unparalleled by any candidate in either party. I lived in Baghdad in 2003; I predicted and documented our disaster there. I have a record of intelligent commentary and analysis. I have real experience in the areas where real knowledge will be essential to making real decisions in 2009. Sauerberg has none.

"To send Sauerberg up against Dick Durbin would be a form of child abuse. S'berg is a babe in the woods. I am glad he is running, because he gives me a foil. But I fail to see how Sauerberg can do anything but embarrass his supporters and Republican Party leaders. And deplete his bank account. Spend it all, Steve. You'll need it."

"Slippery Steve? Please send me an e-mail when you decide where you stand on the issues," Martin said jocularly.

------------------------------------------------
Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2007.
Martin has forty years of experience covering regional, national and world politics. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; ContrarianCommentary.wordpress.com
Andy holds a Juris Doctor degree (1969) from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639. Web sites: ContrarianCommentary.com; AndyforUSSenator.com.