Kelly Truth Squad's Blog

KELLY: SANTORUM’S SURGE TURNS UP HEAT ON ROMNEY

kellytruthsquad — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:00:29 +0000

From Newsmax:

Fresh from his strong showing in Iowa, Republican U.S. presidential candidate Rick Santorum has picked up support in New Hampshire ahead of its primary next week, but rival Mitt Romney holds a sizeable lead, according to a poll released on Friday. Santorum, a former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, had 11 percent support, up from 8 percent, among likely voters in New Hampshire’s primary, according to a 7 News/Suffolk University tracking poll conducted on Wednesday and Thursday.

New Hampshire’s primary on Tuesday will be the second in a series of voting contests to choose a Republican nominee to face Democratic President Barack Obama in November’s election.

Since finishing narrowly behind Romney at the Iowa caucuses on Tuesday, Santorum has moved ahead of Newt Gingrich, former U.S. House of Representatives speaker, and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman in the New Hampshire survey.

Romney, the former governor of neighboring Massachusetts, had 40 percent support, down from 41 percent a day earlier. Support for Texas Congressman Ron Paul slipped to 17 percent from 18 percent.

Gingrich’s support rose to 9 percent from 7 percent. Huntsman, who was endorsed over Romney by the Boston Globe newspaper on Thursday, had 8 percent support against 7 percent. One percent of voters backed Texas Governor Rick Perry, and 15 percent of voters were still undecided.

The poll is based on phone interviews of 500 likely voters in the Republican primary and has a margin of error of 4.4 percentage points.

Another New Hampshire opinion survey, conducted on Wednesday, showed a Santorum bounce and a tighter race overall in New Hampshire.

The Washington Times/JZ Analytics Poll of almost 500 voters put Romney ahead with 38 percent, followed by Paul at 24 percent and Santorum at 11 percent. Ten percent of voters were undecided.

The survey had a margin of error of 4.5 percentage points.

KELLY’S OPEN LETTER: RAHM INFLUENCING CHICAGO GOP RACE

kellytruthsquad — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:58:13 +0000

Dear Fellow Republican,

As you may know, I am running to be the new Chairman of the Chicago Republican Party. In order to do that, I am also running for Republican committeeman of the 42^nd ward in Chicago.

It has been a long time since we’ve had a two-party system inChicago, isn’t it? Well, I want to change that. I want the people ofChicagoto have a choice. I want them to know what the Republican Party truly represents. But, in order to do that, we need to work together like never before.

Despite our campaign’s effort to knock Rahm Emanuel’s candidate off the Republican primary ballot, the Chicago Board of Elections is ruling to keep him – Tom Smithburg – on. This is the same Chicago Board of Elections that ruled to keep Rahm Emanuel on the Chicago ballot even though he was not a legal resident of Chicago when he filed his petitions last year. Does this surprise me? Not in the least. Smithburg’s family gave Rahm a $10,000 contribution for his bid for Chicago Mayor. Does that sound like something a real Republican would do? Of course not.

Well, now you know the truth.

In my previous letter, I also mentioned the threat leveled against me by my opponent’s campaign, claiming that if I don’t get out of the race that “every door will be closed to me” and I will have to move to another state. Despite this, I intend not only to stay in the race but to win and build a real Republican Party – free of Rahm Republicans.

That is why asking you and other good Republicans and conservatives to support my campaign and join our new Chicago GOP Steering Committee.

What is the purpose of this committee?

The purpose of this new Chicago GOP Steering Committee is to do – among other things – recruit and slate Chicago and Cook County candidates for offices that have been left open on the Republican side.

Yes, offices that have been left open…where we aren’t even putting up a fight.

As if there was any need to explain the importance of having a two-party system in Chicago, here it is. Currently, Republican candidates aren’t being slated to run for many critical political offices to represent those Republicans living in many Chicago wards, including U.S. Congress, state representative, state senate, state’s attorney, recorder of deeds, or board of review.

My history proves that I am 100% sincere about building a real Republican Party in Chicago. I have been an anti-tax advocate for more than 20 years and was the former Executive Director of National Taxpayers United of Illinois. In 2010, I ran statewide for Illinois Comptroller on a platform of exposing the insider deals in Illinois’ public contracting system and received 157,000 votes. I challenged Rahm Emanuel’s petitions on the basis of residency and recruited a GOP candidate for Mayor of Chicago. These are all things I have done to build a Republican Party in Illinois. So when I say I’m serious, you know that I mean it.

I’ve lived in Chicagoall my life. I’ve lived in the 42^nd ward for more than 10 years. I own a home here. I met my wife here. And I started my business here.

But there is much work to be done. With your support, we can build a two-party system that will support good Republican candidates and change politics as usual.

I am asking your support in my campaign to be Chairman of the Chicago GOP and 42^nd ward Republican committeeman. If you agree with me and support my campaign to bring democracy to the City of Chicago, please follow me on Facebook and share this letter with your friends, family, and associates. Watch for upcoming dates on our GOP Steering Committee meetings and plan to attend.

Together, we can build a real Republican Party in Chicago.

Faithfully,

William J. Kelly

www.friendsofwilliamjkelly.com

FORMER GOP MAYORAL CANDIDATE TO ENDORSE KELLY FOR CHICAGO GOP

kellytruthsquad — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:57:06 +0000

MEDIA ALERT

TOM HANSON TO ENDORSE KELLY FOR 42^nd WARD GOP COMMITTEEMAN

Former GOP Mayoral Candidate Endorses William Kelly

Friday, December 16, 2011

11:00 AM

WHAT: Former GOP mayoral candidate Tom Hanson will endorse William J. Kelly for 42^nd ward Republican committeeman and Chicago GOP Chairman. In 2010, despite having filed more than 14,000 signatures, Mr. Hanson’s petitions were thrown out after the Chicago Board of Elections claimed to have “lost” his Statement of Economic Interest.

Mr. Hanson is the President of Hanson Commercial Real Estate. During the past 10 years, he has sold numerous commercial and investment grade properties ranging up to $550,000,000. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Life Directions, a not-for-profit organization that mentors 7th and 8th grade ‘at risk’ students in lower income neighborhoods. He previously ran against Rahm Emanuel for congress in the 5^th district.

William J. Kelly is a former candidate for Illinois comptroller, business owner, life long Chicagoan, and longtime resident of the 42^nd ward.

WHERE: Hilligloss Galleries

520 N. Michigan Avenue

Chicago,IL60611

WHEN: Friday, December 16, 2011

NEWS: KELLY REACTS TO OPPONENT’S THREAT IN CHICAGO GOP WARD RACE

kellytruthsquad — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:25:50 +0000

My Fellow Republicans and Conservatives,

Because I passionately believe that Chicago deserves a real two-party system, I announced in early November my intention to run for committeeman of Chicago’s 42nd ward. My goal is to become the Chairman of the Chicago Republican Party and – do what I say I am going to do – help build a real Republican Party in Chicago.

But is that what some Republican insiders really want? Apparently not.

Yesterday, David Walsh, threatened my family on behalf of the Smithburg campaign; Tom Smithburg announced his intention to run for 42nd ward committeeman AFTER my announcement; he is a recent college graduate. But Smithburg’s family gave about $10,000 to Rahm Emanuel’s mayoral campaign; which means, in Republican pay-to-play speak, I am supposed to step aside. And that is the problem. Some Republicans think it is acceptable to give $10,000 to Rahm Emanuel. Personally, I take the opposite view. That is one of the reasons that I challenged Smithburg’s petitions on Monday.

Walsh told me Wednesday that if I did not drop my petition challenge and get out of race that I would have to move my family to Nebraska because “every door will be closed to them.” That’s what you get for trying to run for Republican committeeman in Chicago? And challenging a Rahm guy named Smithburg, eh? My history clearly shows that I am not intimidated by rich, powerful people who think they can get what they want by threatening me. It isn’t going to happen.

Yesterday, sadly, marked the one year anniversary of Rahm Emanuel’s announcement of his bid to become Mayor of Chicago. It is also a painful reminder that Chicago is still a one-party town, a city without a politically conservative alternative to corruption and the status quo pay-to-play system that is in place.

Why, after all these years, do we still have a one party system in the City of Chicago? I’ll tell you why: Because some Republican leaders and organizers surrendered a long time ago. Or maybe their hearts weren’t really in it in the first place.

I have been a tireless conservative activist and advocate more than twenty years. But, for me, it hasn’t been just talk. I was the Executive Director of National Taxpayers United of Illinois; In 1994, I ran for Congress against former Black Panther Defense Minister Bobby Rush and exposed his $50,000 in back taxes and unpaid child support; In 2010, I ran for Illinois comptroller on a platform of uncovering the insider deals and received more than 157,000 votes; I aggressively challenged Rahm Emanuel’s candidacy for Mayor and recruited a strong mayoral candidate to oppose him. I write for national newspapers and magazines and have earned a reputation for taking politicians to task – from Bill Clinton to Rahm Emanuel to Dick Durbin– on-camera. There’s a lot more – but you get the idea.

It comes down to this: Will the Chicago GOP be lead by real Republicans or by surrogates for Rahm Emanuel?

I have been a conservative my entire life and I am not about to stop now. I believe that the Chicago Republican party should be a separate entity – not a subcommittee of the Democrat party. I believe that if you care about something – whether it is a place or a person – that means you are its caretaker. I have lived in Chicago’s 42nd ward for more than 10 years. I started my business here – an Emmy award-winning production house – and I met my wife here. And I plan to do the best I can to protect and strengthen my hometown – threat or no threat. Together, with faith and a lot of hard work, we can build a real Republican Party in the place where it most needs it. Chicago.

If you want to help build a real Republican Party in Illinois, please share this link with your friends, like our Fighting 42^nd facebook page, and visit www.friendsofwilliamjkelly.com and make any donation you can – large or small.

Faithfully,

William J. Kelly

Candidate, Republican Committeeman 42nd ward

ALERT: ROCKFORD TEA PARTY JOINS WILLIAM J. KELLY FOR RALLY IN SUPPORT OF THE POLICE

kellytruthsquad — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:35:26 +0000

Louis Farrakhan, Jesse Jackson Stir Rockford-area Racial Tensions with Barmore Case

THURSDAY, September 30, 2010

4:00 p.m.

WHAT: William J. Kelly, host of the Kelly Truth Squad on WIND-AM (560) and columnist for the Washington Times joins with the Rockford Tea Party today for a flash Protest in support of the Rockford police department and against the racial tensions being in flamed last week by Louis Farrakhan and Jesse Jackson in the police shooting of Mark Barmore, who was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant for aggravated assault and had a history of criminal behavior. The case is still being investigated despite a Grand Jury clearing the officers of any wrong doing.

“While that case is debated in the courts and the meeting rooms of our city leaders we must remember that our Police Department continues to work toward keeping this community safe and moving toward justice no matter what circumstance are being addressed,” said a spokesperson for Rockford Tea Party.

“There has been a surge in crimes against police officers this summer,” said Kelly. “Recently, Mr. Farrakhan and others, like Rev. Jesse Jackson, have been trying to turn a crime issue into a racial issue. The people of Rockford, the people of Chicago, and the people of Illinois need to take a stand against that and that is what we are doing today.”

For more information, visit www.friendsofwilliamjkelly.com and www.kellytruthsquad.com.

WHEN: Thursday, September 30, 2010

4:00 p.m.

WHERE: Public Safety Building

420 West State Street

Rockford, IL

CONTACT: Amy Olson, Rev Public Relations (312) 217-2455

UPDATE: Nation of Islam Leader Louis Farrakhan’s Hypocrisy in Barmore Case

kellytruthsquad — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 18:50:49 +0000

Dear Friends,

Once again the Kelly Truth Squad is at the center of controversy. Yesterday…before Right Nation 2010 took place at the Sears Center with Glenn Beck and Andrew Breitbart, you may have heard that I challenged Louis Farrakhan to a debate at the Kingdom Authorities International Church where he was speaking about peace, justice, and violence.

Chicago Police protest at their South Michigan Avenue headquarters

I wanted to challenge Mr. Farrakhan on his hypocrisy. Three police officers were killed in Chicago this summer and never – not once – has Louis Farrakhan spoken out about the violence. Not once has he chided Chicago’s gang bangers to stop the bloodshed. But when two police officers in Rockford are forced to gun down a suspect wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant. A suspect who had been sought for questioning in a violent assault with a woman at knifepoint. A suspect, Mark Anthony Barmore, who, according to the evidence cited by the Grand Jury, struggled with the officers over a weapon – then Mr. Farrakhan makes himself available to speak about justice and violence.

After I issued my media alert yesterday, my law enforcement contacts in Rockford asked me to change my plans. They said confronting and debating Farrakhan could make this tense situation worse and bring it to a boiling point, putting even more officers at risk. I would never want to put police officers at even more risk than they already are – so I finally acquiesed for that reason.

Earlier this week, the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police marched on their own headquarters to protest to low levels of police manpower that has put officers in danger. Me and others – including John Garrido, a police officer of more than 19 years, came out to support their cause. Three officers killed in two months alone – that can’t just be something that people forget so easily or dismiss so easily as Mr. Farrakhan has.

The Kelly Truth Squad will not air tonight – we hope that it will return on AM 560 WIND next Sunday.

Photo: William J. Kelly and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani

I have already announced the formation of an exploratory committee for Alderman of the 42nd ward. In light of the unprecedented opportunity to finally elect a conservative Mayor of Chicago, I am actively trying to recruit such a candidate and, should all else fail, I am open to the possibility of running myself.

Please feel free to comment on this blog as to whether I should run for alderman, mayor, or just focus on the Kelly Truth Squad. If you believe this is the time for me to make a difference in the City Council, please make a contribution to Friends of William J. Kelly today.

Faithfully,

William J. Kelly

KELLY TO CONFRONT FARRAKHAN AT BARMORE SPEECH IN ROCKFORD

kellytruthsquad — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 19:23:36 +0000

Broadcaster/Activist William J. Kelly Calls Out Farrakhan’s Hypocrisy on Crime

Saturday, September 18, 2010
5:00 p.m.

(ROCKFORD, IL) – Conservative activist William J. Kelly says that Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan is inflaming tensions again on the shooting death of Mark Anthony Barmore by two Rockford police officers. The officers had been in pursuit of Barmore, who had an outstanding arrest warrant and was being sought for questioning after a woman alleged he had held a knife to her throat. Mr. Farrakhan will be speaking in support of Barmore today at Kingdom Authorities Church where he and his followers are calling for independent investigation of the shooting. The Grand Jury and other agencies found the officers justified in the shooting death of Barmore with evidence indicating that he struggled with the officers over a weapon.

Conservative activist William J. Kelly says that Farrakhan’s speech today is hypocrisy at its worst. “Where was Minister Farrakhan and his words of peace and justice when three police officers were shot dead in the City of Chicago this summer?” asks Kelly. “Instead of supporting criminals like Barmore, Louis Farrakhan should be asking the gangbangers to stop their rampage of raping, robbing, and murdering innocent people.”

Kelly plans to confront Farrakhan at his speech today at Kingdom Authority International Ministries Church, 518 N. Court Street in Rockford at 5:00 p.m. He supported Chicago police officers in their protest at police headquarters this week where Fraternal Order of Police President Mark Donahue criticized Superintendent Jody Weis about the dangerously low levels of police manpower that have put officers at-risk.

Concerned about the increase in violent crime and calls by the Chicago police for more manpower, Kelly recently announced an exploratory committee for a possible bid for Alderman of the 42nd ward and is leaving the door open for a mayoral bid if no other conservative candidate steps up.

ABOUT WILLIAM J. KELLY
William J. Kelly hosts the Kelly Truth Squad on AM 560 WIND and is a producer of Emmy award-winning television. His two columns at the Washington Times Communities are among the top 10 reads every week. He was previously the Executive Director of the National Taxpayers United of Illinois, an affiliate of the National Taxpayers Union and ran for Illinois Comptroller in the Republican primary in 2010.

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300 Chicago Cops Protest Weis: Isn’t Three Officers Killed Enough?

kellytruthsquad — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 19:03:00 +0000

Me with Mark Donahue, President of the FOP

by William J. Kelly

On Tuesday, over three hundred police officers and their families united in protest outside of police headquarters on South Michigan Avenue what they perceive as “dangerously unsafe ” low levels of police manpower in the City of Chicago and a lack of confidence in Police Superintendent Jody Weis. The question is: Will officers’ streetwise voices be heard at the police superintendent’s office and in the halls of the Chicago City Council now or will they continue to be ignored?

In July, Chicago clocked its worst two-month run of violence against police officers in more than forty years with three officers killed. It’s not a record that those in the city council should be proud of. Mark Donahue, president of the Fraternal Order of Police says the manpower situation in the Chicago Police Department is bad. ”Guys are out there every day telling us they have to wait for backup. And we’re advising them to wait for backup for their own safety,” said Donahue in July.

Cops waiting for backup in dangerous situations isn’t good news for Chicago police and their families and it isn’t good news for the people of Chicago. Donahue and Bill Doherty, Vice President of the Fraternal Order of Police believe

Chicago Police protest at their South Michigan Avenue headquarters

that the shortage of officers has emboldened criminals against law enforcement.

Meanwhile, while assaults on police officers are up 20%, the mainstream media and politicians are blaming petty politics and sour grapes as the source of the discontent. In today’s Chicago Sun-Times, columnist Mark Brown pointed to the lower protest turnout as compared to the 2,000 officers who showed up at City Hall in 2009 to protest contract negotiations. Mayor Daley stood up for Superintendent Weis at a press conference this morning, blaming union discontent with Weis, a former FBI agent. “Everybody wants one of their own. I don’t know what ‘their own’ is today,” said Daley.

Is that political spin, political reality, or somewhere in between? Only Mark Donahue, Jody Weis, and Mayor Daley know for sure. The one other truth we do know of is buried with the three police officers killed this summer.

And that just isn’t something you can spin.

William J. Kelly is a life-long Chicagoan and a resident of the 42nd ward for more than ten years. He is a producer of Emmy-award winning television and hosts the Kelly Truth Squad on AM 560 WIND. His two columns at the Washington Times Communities are among the top 10 reads every week. He was previously the Executive Director of the National Taxpayers United of Illinois, an affiliate of the National Taxpayers Union. He currently resides in Streeterville with his wife, Laura.

For more information, visit the website at www.friendsofwilliamjkelly.com.

NEWS: KELLY RALLIES SUPPORTERS FOR CHICAGO POLICE RALLY WEDNESDAY

kellytruthsquad — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:59:50 +0000

“Make Chicago a Sanctuary City for Law-Abiding Citizens,” says Kelly

(CHICAGO) – WIND-AM (560) talk show host William J. Kelly, who yesterday announced the formation of an exploratory committee for Alderman of the 42^nd ward, is rallying supporters behind the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police as they prepare for their protest on police headquarters this Wednesday. “The people of Chicago deserve to be safe. Now, they pay more taxes and they are less safe. Let’s make Chicago a sanctuary city for law-abiding citizens who play by the rules.”

Police are protesting what they say is “dangerously low manpower” that has left Chicago Police officers outnumbered and people feeling unsafe. The Chicago Police Department is 2,311 officers a day short of its authorized strength, counting vacancies, medical leave and limited duty,” say Fraternal Order of Police representatives. Police officers will be marching on Wednesday, September 15, at 10 am at Police Headquarters, located at 3510 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

“The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police have asked for our support; we owe it to them to stand up with them and for them now,” said Kelly,

William J. Kelly is a life-long Chicagoan and a resident of the 42^nd ward for more than ten years. He is a producer of Emmy-award winning television and hosts the Kelly Truth Squad on AM 560 WIND. His two columns at the Washington Times Communities are among the top 10 reads every week. He was previously the Executive Director of the National Taxpayers United of Illinois, an affiliate of the National Taxpayers Union. He currently resides in Streeterville with his wife, Laura.

For more information, visit the website at www.friendsofwilliamjkelly.com.

NEWS: Kelly Announces Exploratory Committee for 42nd Ward Alderman

kellytruthsquad — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:51:25 +0000

Monday, September 13, 2010

MEDIA ALERT

KELLY TO FORM EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE FOR 42^NDWARD ALDERMAN

(CHICAGO) – Broadcaster William J. Kelly announces today that he will form an exploratory committee in a bid for alderman of the 42^nd ward. “We don’t need any more hacks beholden to powerful politicians. From the parking meter debacle and waste and corruption in the City Council, the people of the 42^nd ward are fed-up about the higher, higher taxes and declining quality of life in the ward,” said William J. Kelly, a former candidate for Illinois Comptroller.

Kelly plans to attend the City Club of Chicago luncheon today at Maggiano’s to hear Alderman Brendan Reilly’s remarks. “I’m planning to run for alderman because the 42^nd ward needs one. Reilly is Michael Madigan’s alderman. I want to be the Alderman for the 42^nd Ward. That is why today I am announcing for the formation of my exploratory committee,” said Kelly.

William J. Kelly is a life-long Chicagoan and has been a resident of the 42^nd ward for more than ten years. He is a producer of Emmy-award winning television and hosts the Kelly Truth Squad on AM 560 WIND. His two columns at the Washington Times Communities are among the top 10 reads every week. He was previously the Executive Director of the National Taxpayers United of Illinois, an affiliate of the National Taxpayers Union. He currently resides in Streeterville with his wife, Laura.

For more information, visit the website at www.friendsofwilliamjkelly.com.