The Cook Co. GOP issued a press release less than an hour ago condemning Gov. Blagojevich for his underhanded $10 millions executive order yesterday authorizing ESCR/human cloning.
Most noteworthy is the point that they not only are taking on Gov. Blagojevich by this release, but also one of the men standing behind Blagojevich at yesterday’s press conference – House Minority Leader Tom Cross.
Cross denies he knew anything about this. I find that just about impossible to believe.
Read press release on page 2.

Press Release
Cook County GOP Condemns Gov. Blagojevich’s Shameless Act of Arrogance on Stem Cell Research
CHICAGO, IL, July 13, 2005 – Governor Rod Blagojevich showed his utter contempt for the democratic process, the constitutional role of the General Assembly and will of the people of Illinois yesterday when he signed an executive order committing $10 million of taxpayer money to fund embryonic stem cell research.
“The Governor’s actions yesterday were not only morally questionable, they made a mockery of the citizens of Illinois and their elected representatives in the General Assembly,” stated Cook County Republican Party Communications Director Eric Kohn. “I’m sure Governor Blagojevich must be disappointed in his inability to convince a General Assembly controlled by his own Party to pass a stem cell research bill, but that doesn’t justify throwing the democratic process out the window.”
Several stem cell research bills, including a $100 million proposal introduced by Comptroller Dan Hynes, stalled in the Illinois General Assembly last year. Frustrated by lack of progress, Governor Blagojevich turned to the power of executive order to impose his embryonic stem cell research plan.
“This is an abuse of power by the Governor,” noted Cook County Republican Party Chairman Gary J. Skoien. “But sadly, these abuses of power and complete disregard for the people of Illinois are what we’ve come to expect from Rod Blagojevich.”
In defense of his questionable approach, Governor Blagojevich explained that “it’s the right thing to do, and however you get there immaterial.”
“More dangerous words were never spoken. Our democratic form of government was created to take authoritarian power like this out of the hands of rulers,” declared Kohn. “That Rod Blagojevich has the gall to take the power to decide such a controversial issue out of the hands of the elected legislature is a new breed of arrogance.”
“Embryonic stem cell research is not a public policy disagreement on how to fill a pothole. This is an issue viewed by many as the senseless slaughter of human life. For the Governor to feel he holds all the answers to the universe and questions passionately debated for decades is a brand of arrogance that is simply disturbing,” opined Kohn.
“The bottom line is Governor Blagojevich has clearly shown the citizens of Illinois that he could care less what they and the representatives they’ve elected to speak for them think about an issue of life and death,” concluded Kohn. “Come November of next year, he’s going to be held accountable.”