Rich Garling’s Blog

I know this is not the first election I have ever lost, in fact I’m batting 500 right now (w-2, L -2) but I have been told and I think the facts do speak for themselves…I went against a 12 year incumbant who raised much more money than I did ($105K ($70K in the bank) to my $20K), he certainly had much more time in which to prepare (12 years compared to 7 months) and yet I got close to 40% of the vote. I’m told by many who have been involved for a number of years in politics and government that I got a very respectable finish for a first run at State office. I know some of my opponents are saying a got slaughtered but when 4 out 10 voters say they like what they see I guess I’m doing ok. Not a win, but not slaughtered either.

But enough about the past. It’s time to move on because there are many problems we need to solve. While others may want to dwell on the past whining about how someone did this or did that without ever offering a solution, well let them do that. The past can certainly explain the present, it provides us with what did or didn’t work but it doesn’t provide us an answer to a solution, it only narrow down the list of solutions thus getting us closer to an answer. If we continue to dwell on the past never letting it go you will never arrive at an answer because you’re too busy looking back instead of looking forward.

Tags: 2008 Elections by Rich
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Tell me this doesn’t sound familiar…

 From the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

The State Canvassing Board, a panel of five arbiters charged with determining the winner in the overtime election tussle between Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and Democratic rival Al Franken, unanimously voted this morning to deny the Franken campaign’s request that rejected absentee ballots be included in the recount.

During the discussion, the board members stressed that they weren’t rejecting the merits of the arguments made by Franken’s attorneys. They also made it clear they expect the issue to be litigated separately from the recount procedure…

I’m sure there are some recent Democratic candidates who have heard similar comments from an election board last summer. If they know it’s going to be litigated, which presumes they’re wrong, then why do they continue to make that decision?

Tags: 2008 Elections by Rich
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www.garling4rep.com

Tags: First, Metra, 2008 Elections, Growth, News by Rich
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 As of Friday, January 18, over 51% of all primary ballots cast at early voting locations were Democrat. This represents a huge shift of over 15% since the last presidential election. The early voting results are showing a tidal wave of support for the Democrats since past years local primary elections have favored Republicans usually by 3 -1. Results from Lake and McHenry Counties show a heavy increase in the number of Democratic ballots being pulled. If this trend continues, McHenry County Democrats will pick up seats in local, state and Federal elections.

This trend shows a tremendous move by the voters for change in our government. This shows a desire to change the way we govern ourselves. I think the message of change is getting through to the average voter who is tired of the attack campaign tactics used by both sides. The people are tired of the politics of personal attacks, of lies and deceit just to win an election. They have had enough of the politics of destruction by people who obviously don’t have an answer to solving our problems. The people are seeking a better way. Both sides need to cut the baloney, settle down and honestly deal with the issues we face. We need to make it a level playing field for all. Otherwise we could lose what has been the greatest experiment in Democracy the world has ever seen. 

Tags: 2008 Elections by Rich
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I’m running as a Bill Richardson Delegate to the Democratic Nat’l Convention this year. I just heard that he will be dropping out of the race. That is too bad. While I like what Obama has to say I realized that it takes more then a good message to make change happen. We live in perilous times, due much to our own creation and some that was brought upon us without our asking. Bill Richardson is the kind of guy who could go into a country that hates us and he walks out of that country with an agreement and with hostages we didn’t know were there (that is tad bit of hyperbole but you hopefully you get my meaning). He is good and he has the experience. I believe that in order to run an enterprise like the Federal Gov’t you need to have the experience of running something similar, albeight smaller, like a State Government. It’s not all glitzy talking. You need to know the mechanics of getting it done in order to make the change you talk about. You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk? There is a good reason why U.S. Senators have a tendency not to get elected to the highest office of the land. They have never actually run a Government before. Now I realize that my opinion here doesn’t work 100%. Bush & Johnson are the exceptions to the rule. But look at FDR & Clinton, both whom knew how to work the mechanics of the system so that everyone benefited. That is why I chose to back Bill Richardson. I will admit that I was not too excited about running for Delegate. The reason for this is that I’m more interested in good local governing and not in the Federal scene. Someone has to keep an eye on all the foxes trying to get into the chicken coop here at home. I figure there are enough people watching the Feds that there needs to be a few of us watching things here at home. But Governor Richardson dropping out of the race is a loss to our country. He was the best and hopefully someday he will try again.

Tags: 2008 Elections by Rich
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 Last year I met Bill Gentes, Mayor of Round Lake, IL, at the McHenry County Democrats Thomas Jefferson Dinner held at the Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake. I have found Mayor Gentes to be a very practical man who gets the job done and I believe he would be an asset to our area representing us in Springfield. Bill has done much to improve the Round Lake area by fixing roads, bringing in jobs and making sure Government is for all of us, not just a select few. These qualities are why I support Bill Gentes for State Senate. Visit Bill’s website at http://www.billgentes.com/ or his blogs at http://www.eroundlake.com/blog/ and http://www.billgentes.com/blog/ for more info. While you’re at it, contribute or volunteer to help get him elected.

Tags: 2008 Elections by Rich
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