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

Did LaHood lie to Congress? Investigation underway

By Kathy Michael | 08/06/09

Submitted by Contributing Writer to McLean County Pundit, Dark Knight What a complete and utter sell out. Peoria's GOP must be proud when its favorite son turns Benedict Arnold. *** Did Secretary LaHood lie to Congress? By: David Freddoso Commentary Staff Writer 08/05/09 8:08 AM EDT Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., the ranking member on the Government Oversight Committee, has written White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel requesting... read more »

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

Congressman Tim Johnson (no not that one, the other one) Speaks at PACKED Town Hall Meeting

By Kathy Michael | 08/06/09

UPDATED: 8/06/09 7:00 a.m. It was an interesting evening, and a telling time, when Illinois Congressman Tim Johnson (R) spoke to his constituents in McLean County. No offense to our Congressman, but two years ago one would feel fortunate to have 50 concerned citizens attend meetings like the two held Wednesday evening in Bloomington/Normal. The first event, at Bloomington Country Club, hosted by the Republican... read more »

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

Video-Poker in Illinois-A Problem? Ask South Dakota

By Kathy Michael | 08/05/09

Video poker is a hot-button issue right now in Illinos. The Chicago Tribune wrote about it recently One State's Video-Gambling Experience Bodes Ill for Illinois: By legalizing video gambling, Illinois is poised to go down a path that led Sioux Falls, S.D., to accumulate mom-and-pop casinos, pawn shops and payday lenders on almost every major street. Here's another perspective from neighboring Tazewell County Board member, and... read more »

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

Democrats May Be Bused In To IL Congressman Tim Johnson's Town Hall Meeting Wednesday

By Kathy Michael | 08/04/09

Words out by the McLean County Illinois GOP, that Democrats will be bused in to our Illinois Congressman Tim Johnson's Town Hall Meeting in Bloomington, tomorrow; Wed., 8/5/09. This mass email from McLean Co. GOP Chairman John Parrott: CongressmanTimJohnson Town Hall Meeting Normal Library This Wednesday, Aug 5, 6:30 to 7:30 pm We invite you all to attend this important meeting. We need to... read more »

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

Hail in August-Central Illinois

By Kathy Michael | 08/04/09

I'd like to know the statistics regarding hail in August in hot, steamy Illinois. Here's a view from my back yard. Pea-sized, but certainly enough to get my attention at 6:00 a.m. (DST) That orange "ball" is a tomato from my garden. All our rain this year has made for some good veggies! read more »

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

ILLINOIS POLITICS- UPDATE

By Kathy Michael | 08/03/09

ILLINOIS SEN. DAN RUTHERFORD ATTRACTING SUPPORT A rolling stone gathers no moss. On his quest to gain back a state-wide seat for the GOP, Illinois State Senator Dan Rutherford, GOP candidate for IL State Treasurer, is a very busy man. Rutherford just returned from Washington D. C., where he and the Illinois delegation attended a reception and dedication for former House Speaker Dennis Hastert. Hastert's... read more »

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

Roles of the Subordinate

By Kathy Michael | 07/31/09

EDITOR'S NOTE BY KATHY MICHAEL Please welcome new Contributing Writer Tazewell County Board member, John Ackerman. John will be writing posts on all subjects, and we look forward to updates on what's going on in neighboring Tazewell County. Roles of the Subordinate The year is July 12th, 1864. The site is Fort Stevens on the outskirts of Washington, DC. Confederate General Jubal Early has moved his army up the Shenandoah Valley... read more »

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

Dem. Congresswoman Halvorson Trying To Pull RNC Headlthcare Ads From Our Local Radio Station

By Kathy Michael | 07/28/09

Congresswoman Halvorson insisting ads be pulled from WJBC. 7/28/2009 5:19:00 PM By: Beth Whisman and Stephanie Pawlowski Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson is insisting advertisements paid for by the Republican National Committee be pulled from the air. The ads question President Obama's healthcare proposal. swfobject.embedSWF("/RegentPodPlayer.swf", "00006_7-28-rnccommercial-2", "250", "50",... read more »

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

University of Illinois Scandal: One Down More To Follow?

By Kathy Michael | 07/28/09

Scapegoat or beginning of dominoes? Will the U of I President be spared? BREAKING: University of Illinois trustee Lawrence Eppley has told the governor he will resign from the board in the wake of a scandal about admissions abuses. Gov. Pat Quinn's spokesman, Bob Reed, said the governor's office received the letter today. According to Reed, the letter stated: "I offer to be the first to step down as a member of the... read more »

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

Blagojevich's tell-all book expected out in September, so, who's sweating its release?

By Kathy Michael | 07/27/09

Judging by the rest of the description, readers also can expect plenty of digs at Blagojevich's political rivals -- from House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) to Gov. Pat Quinn, who replaced Blagojevich. The infamous Illinois ex-Governor's tell-all book is due out in September. I have to admit, I'm going to buy it (well, maybe after the reviews are in.) If it truly "tells-all", I would imagine Rod has to be very... read more »