The Stonecipher Report

One Year On – My First Anniversary at The Stonecipher Report

Posted By: Michael Sweeney

Aug. 27, 2009

Hey, not to be TOO self-congratulatory, but yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of the first appearance of my work here on The Stonecipher Report!

Much has gone on since I responded to head honcho Tyler "Ripp Stonecipher" Rippeteau’s ad (on Craigslist) seeking local political writers for his site…I am now his site’s semi-official "Political Director" (a la the much admired wonk coverage of the ’08 election for NBC and MSNBC by Chuck Todd) and Tyler’s co-host of The Stonecipher Report radio show (available on Chicago’s WHPK, 88.5 FM or online via whpk.org) (plug, plug!) – as well as a friend now to the all-around good guy who runs this site.

A Sad Farewell to the Liberal Lion of the Senate: Edward M. Kennedy, 1932-2009

Posted By: Michael Sweeney

Aug. 26, 2009

It was not unexpected news…but it was sudden and it was still very sad. Today, this country must bade farewell to one of its most important, influential, and long-serving leaders, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.

Last night, before the news broke, I had just completed writing a piece for today, marking the first anniversary of my starting to write for The Stonecipher Report…but I think I’ll hold that one for tomorrow. Instead, today I’m going to share with you a piece I wrote and sent out to my e-mail subscribers back in May of 2008, after the news of the Senator’s brain tumor came out. So…it was not quite intended as an early obituary, but more of an appreciative tribute to a then-still-living man – in his unfortunately final days – who I am certain will long be remembered by history as one of the handful of most impactful legislators ever in this country.

Once again, I celebrate the man and his lifelong work…and share my sympathy with his family, friends, and longtime constituents. This country is a lesser place without Senator Ted in it…

Double the Radio Shows This Week: The Stonecipher Report On the Air Monday, 8-24 AND Tuesday, 8-25

Posted By: Michael Sweeney

Aug. 24, 2009

This week, it’ll be another special "two-fer" of The Stonecipher Report radio show. We will be broadcasting over the air as well as via the Internet, live this Monday, August 24, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM Chicago time on WHPK-FM…and then we will also be on Tuesday, August 25, also from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. You can tune us in locally (on Chicago’s South Side) at 88.5 FM…and, of course, you can also hear us online at WHPK.org, streaming live by just clicking the "Listen" tab or the "We are STREAMING" window on the station's website.

Monday’s show will feature some talk about local (Illinois) politics…as well as a look at some potential future baseball Hall of Famers – we’ll be all over the place! We’ll also be covering our usual beats in politics and pop culture on both shows, so be sure to try and tune us in at least once this week. We’ll be there – hope you can be, too!

Chris Kennedy Chooses NOT to Run for US Senate

Posted By: Michael Sweeney

Aug. 19, 2009

Things are starting to emerge a little more clearly in the ongoing, oft-swirling, post-Blago bit-o’-a-mess that is Illinois politics as it heads toward the statewide 2010 elections. First, expected potential top-level candidate (for either the US Senate seat or the Governor’s mansion) Bill Daley opted out of running completely. Then, Lisa Madigan decided to (probably quite easily) hold on to her Attorney General office, rather than run for either Governor or Senator. Then, Comptroller Dan Hynes started running hard against (semi-accidental incumbent) Gov. Pat Quinn (which I will cover more in depth in the near future).

Now comes word that the expected main challenger to current Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias for the US Senate seat, RFK’s son and Merchandise Mart exec Christopher Kennedy, has chosen to NOT seek this (or ANY) elected office in the upcoming election. (Urban League exec Cheryle Jackson is still running against Giannoulias in the Dem primary for Senator…but her previous ties to Blago will be quite the albatross for her to carry; GOP Rep. Mark Kirk will likely end up as the Repub Senatorial candidate…but he likely tops out at about 46%, 47% of statewide support.)

Two Radio Shows This Week: The Stonecipher Report On the Air Monday, 8-10 AND Tuesday, 8-11

Posted By: Michael Sweeney

Aug. 10, 2009

Our on-air schedule is changing a bit (once again)…meaning that this week, it’ll be a special "two-fer" of The Stonecipher Report radio show. We will be broadcasting over the air as well as via the Internet, live this Monday, August 10, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM Chicago time on WHPK-FM…and then we will also be on Tuesday, August 11, also from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. You can tune us in locally (on Chicago’s South Side) at 88.5 FM…and, of course, you can also hear us online at WHPK.org, streaming live by just clicking the "Listen" tab or the "We are STREAMING" window on the station's website.

Monday’s show will feature a special guest, my long-time friend Ellie Carlson, who has invented Green Guestbook, a paper-free, touch-screen guest sign-in book; I will also play some rare and interesting music. Tyler will be in charge of Tuesday’s show – so look for some great content from him, as well! We’ll be covering our usual beats in politics and pop culture both shows, so be sure to try and tune us in at least once this week. We’ll hope to see you (metaphorically, anyway) then!

Hopefully

Posted By: Mike Rodbard

Aug. 3, 2009

Maybe it's the material of their uniforms that was the difference maker. Hopefully, someone will figure out how to use that to the Cubs advantage.

Hey, Michael Phelps was able to use that excuse as to why he lost his race, so why not the Cubs?

The Stonecipher Report On the Air Today - Monday, 8-03

Posted By: Michael Sweeney

Aug. 3, 2009

Our broadcast schedule has shaken up a bit, so…even though we were on last Monday, we’ll also be on – today! Yes, it's time once again for The Stonecipher Report radio show, available over the air or via the Internet. We'll be on Monday, August 3, from 3:00 - 4:00 PM Chicago time on WHPK-FM (tune in locally at 88.5 FM). And, of course, you can also hear us online at WHPK.org, streaming live from 1:00 - 2:00 PM on the West Coast, 4:00-5:00 PM on the East Coast (just click the "Listen" tab or the "We are STREAMING" window on the station's website).

And, due to this scheduling maneuver, Tyler and I will be on TWICE next week – Monday AND Tuesday…so, stay tuned (metaphorically, at least) for those sure-to-be-thrilling upcoming broadcasts…

What’s Perhaps Harder to Find in Chicago Than Ketchup on Hot Dogs? A Young Republican…

Posted By: Michael Sweeney

Aug. 1, 2009

I spotted the ad originally on a CTA bus back maybe 6 weeks ago and intended to write about it (I even recorded myself a little reminder on my cell phone, noting what the ad said), but…hey, this is Chicago…and I frankly could give a rat’s ass about how its few, semi-lonely youngish (and completely wrongheaded) Republicans manage to attempt to huddle together, thinking (again, wrongly) that things may change and that they may have any impact on anything at all. Anyway, nationally – as we have covered here multiple times (such as here and here) – in 2006 and 2008, the political pendulum seemed to have swung fairly clearly and decisively AWAY from Reaganism, conservatism, and the modern (fumbling, emptying-out clown-car filled) Republican "Party of ‘No!’" So…good luck with any faux-organization, kids!

…But, there it was, taking up space on the wall of a bus (along with the ads for training schools no one has ever heard of (much less attended) and promos for instant bankruptcy help and ambulance-chasing lawyers), a placard reading: "It’s not easy being RIGHT in Chicago…Join the #1 Republican Club in Chicago…www.joinchicagoyrs.com."