Kathy Michael

Member For

1 year 6 weeks

Website:

McLean County Pundit

Contact:

Red County Editor -
McLean County, IL
kathymichael@verizon.net

BIOGRAPHY

Kathy Michael, founder of mcleancountypundit.com and President of Michael Consulting, is a political and business consultant from Bloomington, Illinois. She has served as a Republican Precinct Committeeman, and on the McLean County GOP Executive Committee. She is a regular political commentator on WJBC (1230) radio, and has provides a weekly political commentary on conservative radio Cities 92.9. She also writes a weekly email political newsletter, The Michael Report.

Kathy created her local blog when spending concerns in McLean County, Illinois were increasing; including questions about delays in the releasing of financial statements from the U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, which billed as a money-maker, still today is a huge financial drain on the city. The Coliseum issue alone caused those on the City Council who voted for this project, to be defeated. Kathy was Political Consultant and Campaign Manager for five successful City Council elections whose victories changed the face of the City Council from liberal spending Democrats, to conservative Republicans.

The beginning of the grassroots training which helped determine Kathy’s success in campaign consulting came from work with GOP candidates including Bob Dole, Ronald Reagan, IL Congressman Tim Johnson and IL Supreme Court Justice Ben Miller (retired), who pulled off an upset Primary victory for the high court. Having grown up in central Illinois, in the small town of Lexington, in farm country in McLean County, Kathy learned early on that talking with people, going door-to-door and shaking hands with the voters was the way to win elections. That’s still the way to win, she says. It’s all about grassroots.

In 2004, Kathy was appointed McLean County Campaign Co-Chair for Bush, and that year saw the largest turnout of Republican voters in McLean County’s voting history. Other successful campaign management work included hotly contested races for State’s Attorney and Sheriff. In McLean County, Kathy has a 10-2 win/loss record.

As President of Michael Consulting, Kathy’s most recent work included lobbying successfully for local businesses and residents against a gravel pit proposed in McLean County, and helping to get a form-based code zoning proposal put on hold in Bloomington/Normal, which would have had a negative effect on existing business owenrs.

Kathy is nearing completion of her first book, “So You Want To Run For Office? A Beginner’s Guide,” due to be published in 2010 and is proud to be a contributing writer for Red County.

COMMENTARIES

As Former Speaker Hastert's Seat Goes, So Goes The Nation?

By Kathy Michael | 10/15/08

Voter Fraud: Where are the Democrats?

By Kathy Michael | 10/14/08

This ACORN investigation is serious. While I railed on McCain for not talking solutions for the economy, and his campaign picking at the scabs of terrorist connections and ACORN connections, I have to admit all the stories have legs; especially the fraud allegedly occurring with ACORN.Where is the outrage from the Democrats? They had their lawyers all lined up in 2004 before Election Day, remember?This ACORN group I... read more »

0 Comments | Related Topics »McLean County (IL) |

McCain Will Lose. . . Unless

By Kathy Michael | 10/13/08

It's a beautiful October Monday in Central Illinois. We're as "Heartland America" as you get, combining State Farm Headquarters, with corn fields a mile or two away.Here in McLean County, Illinois, we can start early voting tomorrow, October 14, through October 30. We are urging all our fellow Republicans to vote early especially with thousands of voter cards being turned in by a few college students (I think they're... read more »

0 Comments | Related Topics »McLean County (IL) |

Obama Grandma: "Barack was born in Kenya"

By Kathy Michael | 10/12/08

While I have problems believing this could possibly be true, it certainly is getting more interesting. It could be easily dispelled by a copy of his birth certificate. I'm not into rumor mongering, but when the story gets repeated by grandma, well, what can I say?Submitted by Guest Writer Dark Knight:Obama Born In Kenya? His Grandmother Says YesMonday, October 13, 2008 - By: Yonah, Tamar Someone is lying. According to Obama's... read more »

0 Comments | Related Topics »McLean County (IL) |

Sunday in Central Illinois

By Kathy Michael | 10/12/08

We have a lot of problems in Illinois. You and quite honestly most of us here in Illinois have been so focused on the national news; the tumultuous economy, the Presidential election and debates; not to mention the Vice Presidential debates, we've perhaps not been paying much attention to our state news. Let's take a look at how things are going (or not), in Illinois.Statehouse Insider (Springfield) talks about our state... read more »

0 Comments | Related Topics »McLean County (IL) |

A Valuable Lesson

By Kathy Michael | 10/11/08

By David StanczakOne of the best courses I took as an undergraduate student was Econ 214-Government Finance and Taxation. Early in the course, the professor taught us a concept that wasn't in the textbook. At the time I wondered why he was teaching it to us, but since then, I have seen its practical application in innumerable situations. One of them is the stock market mess we find ourselves in.The concept is called the... read more »

0 Comments | Related Topics »McLean County (IL) |

Rezko Says Feds Pressuring him for Dirt on Obama

By Kathy Michael | 10/11/08

Off the national radar screen perhaps, but not far from our daily news headlines here in Illinois, is the trial and conviction of Democratic fundraiser; and former friend and neighbor of Barack Obama; Tony Rezko.Our Democrat Governor, Rod Blagojevich, is the one sweating the most though; as Rezko is rumored to be talking to the Feds (a lot); before his sentencing. It's usually a giveaway that Rezko has stuff to tell the Feds as sentencing... read more »

0 Comments | Related Topics »McLean County (IL) |

Republicans Getting that Sinking Feeling

By Kathy Michael | 10/10/08

From the Heartland in Illinois: Central Illinois Republicans getting that sinking feeling.I talked to quite a few fellow Republicans in Illinois today, via phone and email; and yes, we are believing most all the polling data now. We believe it's going to take a miracle for the McCain campaign to win. Somebody please, tell us we're wrong, or give me and millions of my fellow Republicans some ray of hope; and don't let it be... read more »

0 Comments | Related Topics »McLean County (IL) | News |

If it Plays Next To Peoria. . .

By Kathy Michael | 10/09/08

It's a pleasure to join you in Red County. McLean County, Illinois is the largest geographical county in the state of Illinois, smack-dab in the middle of the state, with a population of about 165,000 folks; about 65% of whom are conservative Republicans. Our once bright red state turned blue a few years back, as our last GOP Governor, George Ryan, went to prison.Our twin cities Bloomington/Normal are home to our county seat, State... read more »

0 Comments | Related Topics »McLean County (IL) |

Bloomington Coliseum Loses Money Again and Again

By Kathy Michael | 10/07/08

It's no surprise that once again the Bloomington Coliseum has lost money. Here's a quote from the past from former Bloomington Mayor Judy Markowitz, who, with her friends on the Council, got the Coliseum project passed:"I made a commitment that the city would not subsidize this arena project." Pantagraph - November 23, 2004.Then members of the City Council and the Mayor pushed the vote for the Arena/Coliseum to occur before a non-binding... read more »