ILLINOIS GOP U.S.A. SENATE CANDIDATE DOUG TRUAX: "DURBIN ARROGANCE IS BREATHTAKING"

ILLINOIS GOP U.S.A. SENATE CANDIDATE DOUG TRUAX: "DURBIN ARROGANCE IS BREATHTAKING"

08/09/13, Illinois Review

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Doug Truax put out a press release yesterday chastising U.S. Sen. Richard "Dick" Durbin for using taxpayer-funded U.S. Senate letters to intimidate supporters of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

As reported here, Durbin wrote an accusatory letter to approximately 300 ALEC donors. He asked detailed questions about their position on "Stand Your Ground" legislation. Durbin, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, has announced he will stage "Stand Your Ground" hearings this fall and publicly announce the responses to his letter.

The Senator's letter comes just weeks after it was revealed that Durbin pressured the IRS to investigate another advocacy group he opposes.

"This is America, not the Soviet Union," GOP Senate candidate Truax noted. "You would think Dick Durbin would comprehend that our constitutional right of free speech is not his to trample. His arrogance is breathtaking and should disturb all Americans who value the First Amendment."

"You would think after the IRS scandal Dick Durbin would be more sensitive about trying to intimidate his political opponents," Truax said. "If he [Durbin] feels this is how America ought to operate, he needs to re-read the First Amendment and start acting like he understands it."