HEY, LIPINSKI, WHO'S YOUR DADDY?

Today's Daily Southtown raised the uncomfortable question for the congressman from the district, Dan Lipinski, Who's your daddy?. No, it's not a debate over whether or not he's a bastard; it's a debate over whether or not his father manipulated and subverted the Democratic process to get him into office-- and if he's continuing to do so to keep him in office now.

Blue America and grassroots activists in Chicagoland have endorsed Mark Pera for the seat, primarily because Lipinski has been a shameful rubber stamp for the Bush agenda, domestically and internationally. His voting record is putrid and he's as likely to vote with the Republicans on core substantive issues as to vote with the Democratic Party. He's virulently anti-choice and even opposes stem cell research. We've covered this boll weevil before and our contribution site for Mark Pera is open 24/7. Feel free...

Before we get to what irks so many Democrats in IL-03-- above and beyond Lipinski's reactionary stand on the issues-- there was something in the story that caught my attention. I've been complaining for 2 years now about how corrupt California Republican Jerry Lewis has been wrecking democracy in his district by controlling who will run against him (a challenger with no intention of campaigning or winning). Apparently Lewis isn't the only corrupt pol using this shameful trick. According to Daily Southtown reporter Kristen McQueary, the elder Lipinski used the same tactic to get his ne'er-do-well son into office.

William Lipinski had arranged for a Republican challenger to fill the opposing slot - a challenger who had no intention on campaigning or winning the election.

Many in Chicago expect that Lipinski will also confuse voters by finding at least one puppet "opponent" to jump into the race as well, a diversion.

While Pera says he won't focus on Lipinski and his father, his campaign staff got their hands on documents sure to stoke the fire. William Lipinski has long operated a campaign fund called the All-American Eagle account. Designed to raise money for youth activities in the 3rd District, the fund mainly serves as a clandestine political fund, dishing money to Dan Lipinski's inner circle, including consulting fees totaling $13,500 during the past five years to chief of staff Jerry Hurckes and communications director Chris Ganschow. BY creating a political action committee in Illinois the Lipinskis avoided stringent federal guidelines that would prohibit such activities.

Between the elder Lipinski's consulting business, Blue Chip Consulting, which rents space at the Archer Avenue congressional headquarters of Dan Lipinski, and the 23rd Ward political operation, Dan Lipinski has placed his governmental duties precariously close to lobbyists and political entities. Not smart.

When Dan Lipinski won an assignment to the House Transportation Committee, he insisted he would avoid any conflicts of interest. His father represents United Airlines and many other transportation giants.

"He won't lobby me," Lipinski said.

Dan Lipinski's own disclosure forms, however, show he paid Blue Chip $5,500 in consulting fees since 2005-- a contradiction of his previous position, which was dubious from the start. Who would know if, for example, over cheeseburgers and milkshakes, the two Lipinskis discussed transportation issues? Like many questionable loose ends that remain unanswered - how, for example, voting records show Dan Lipinski casting ballots in person, in Chicago, at times when he was living out of state - the All-American Eagle account creates yet another shadow on Dan Lipinski's credentials.

McQueary thinks pops is bring dangerous attention to his own and junior's "ethical lapses" and making the "kid" look weak and unprincipled. "William Lipinski is painting a target on his son's back, forcing him to answer questions about the questionable payments to staff members; the consulting fees to Blue Chip; and the fundamental fact that a fund supposedly established for kids really is a piggy bank for the Lipinskis' political activities." It makes residents of the district ask him "who's your daddy?"