Can Brady actually be ousted this weekend?
Thursday, Mar 7, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The attempted ouster of Pat Brady as chairman of the Illinois Republican Party during a special meeting this Saturday may have hit a snag. I obtained this memo from an attorney working for those opposed to Brady’s ouster…
The call of this special meeting specifies to discuss only “the financial status of the State Central Committee and plans to enhance the leadership, image and appeal of the Republican Party of Illinois as we head into the critical 2014 elections.”
According to Robert’s Rules, anything voted on at the meeting that is outside of the call of the meeting would need to be ratified at another meeting.
As noted in Article VII of the State Central Committee’s bylaws, its proceedings are governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.
According to Section 9 of Robert’s Rules, which governs how special meetings are to be conducted, the only business that can be transacted at a special meeting is that which has been specified in the call of the meeting. This rule, however, does not preclude the consideration of privileged motions, or of any subsidiary, incidental, or other motions that may arise in connection with the transaction of such business or the conduct of the meeting. If, at a special meeting, action is taken relating to business not mentioned in the call, that action, to become valid, must be ratified by the organization at a regular meeting.
So, even if they vote him out, he may be able to remain as chairman until at least the next regular meeting, which is not until April 13th.
* Meanwhile, as you know by now, state Sen. Jim Oberweis has been leading the charge to oust Chairman Brady. This is what he told Bernie…
While he’s against same-sex marriage, he says he wants the next chairman to favor an “open tent” and welcome people with beliefs outside the platform on marriage and other issues.
But he didn’t like Brady’s involvement in some GOP primaries. And Oberweis said that on the marriage issue and as CEO of the party, it was “totally unacceptable” for Brady to be “publicly taking a stand against the party platform.” Oberweis likened it to the top person saying “the Republican Party has got to get behind ObamaCare.”
But the LaSalle County Republican Party had a different take on the issue when it passed this resolution…
- Carl Nyberg - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 11:12 am:
If Brady gets voted out, what’s the point of hanging on until April 13?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 11:18 am:
===While he’s against same-sex marriage, he says he wants the next chairman to favor an “open tent” and welcome people with beliefs outside the platform on marriage and other issues.===
lol
Senator Oberweis … your …”ice cream” is melting!
What a crock!
Senator Oberweis, who has been banging the drum to oust Brady on SSM… NOW … wants someone who is an “open tent” Republican? Senator? Are you trying to sell a Bill of Goods? Are your other quotes … false? You wait to make a point about SSM, and want the ouster about SSM, expect when the heat is on, now you WANT an “open-tent” Republican but its about “other things?
You have from the day AFTER the election til your Dopey SSM fiasco statements to make it about anythng BUT SSM.
Now, you want Brady out, but you want an “open-tent”, and it about other things, and you want any Republican to TRUST what you say … today?
And further, if LaSalle County, and the 11 Ward Republicans, I believe, want this to be about SSM, after you decided to make it about the SSM issue, how are you, Senator Oberweis, going to Un-Ring, that bell????
It is no wonder Jim Oberweis couldn’t win an election unless a map was handed to him to be an Elected Official! Jim Oberweis is whatis wrong when the ILGOP lets tin-eared novices think they are big wigs and are running what should be rammed down as the “litmus tests” and “blood oaths” of the GOP.
Pathetic, Senator, but comical…if this wasn’t about my party.
- Easy - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 11:18 am:
What a shock-the the gang that can’t shoot straight led by Obie and Clarke has again missed key details.Yet they want to be in charge of the party.
- the Patriot - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 11:19 am:
==Oberweis has been leading the charge to oust Chairman Brady==
Well that just about sums it up. Two people who have failed to accomplish anything on the policial stage fighting it out over control of the GOP.
This is like watching the last 7 laps at Talledega…you know there is about to be a big wreck and you can’t look away.
As much as I dislike Madigan, he must be having shirts made that say, “at least I ain’t a republican.”
- Sub.GOP - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 11:26 am:
Jim Oberweis and crew can’t even set a meeting correctly, look how incompetent they are.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 11:29 am:
JBT had some pretty strong words on the subject in the column:
““This whole thing is absolutely preposterous,” Topinka said in Springfield this week. “Pat Brady has done a great job. He’s been a great chairman. He’s a firm believer in the big tent theory — try to open things up.”–
–”…“And he’s basically following where history’s taking us,” she added. “So why would you not do this? Why would you want to look backward? I think what is being done here is ridiculous, and I wish they would stop it.”–
Oberweis is chronically behind the times:
–Oberweis likened it to the top person saying “the Republican Party has got to get behind ObamaCare.”–
Which is what a lot of top persons — called GOP governors — are doing right now, all across the country.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 11:35 am:
You know, I understand this platform thing. I think it’s nonsense but whatever. However, the message the Republicans (and I know it’s not all but those that are taling aren’t being refuted by other Republicans) is certainly one of non-inclusion. They apparently still haven’t learned their lesson about alienating groups beyond straight white people. Besides, I’m always interested how, on the one hand, conservatives bemoan government intrusion except when it comes to certain social issues, then they want to be all up in my business. But, I suppose if the Republicans want to continue to shoot themselves in the foot over dumb issues it’s their right as a party.
- So... - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 11:37 am:
So Oberweis wants an “open tent”, but is leading a witch hunt against Brady for trying to expand the tent?
Leaving aside the issue SSM, the job of the ILGOP chairman is to help win elections. Admittedly, Brady didn’t do too hot last year, but is handing over leadership of the party to Jim Oberweis, who has run for and lost nearly every office in the state, and Jerry Clarke, who hideously bungled not one, but two Governors races, really the answer?
- Demoralized - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 11:37 am:
Oops. My bad. I guess there are Republicans speaking out against Oberweis and others. That’s what I get for not reading the whole post.
- sparky - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 11:38 am:
Looks like Jim Oberweis and Jerry Clarke can’t set a meeting right How can they even consider ousting Pat Brady.
- walkinfool - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 11:39 am:
The lawyerspeak has little to do with this. If they have a meeting and vote him out, he’ll resign gracefully, as appropriate.
Not going to happen. JBT is right, as usual.
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 12:09 pm:
This would be hilarious if it was happening somewhere else, to another political party.
circular firing squad, indeed.
- Voice of Reason - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 12:16 pm:
Let’s all breathe out a little bit. This is a case of 3 wrongs not making a right. JBT was wrong in saying that Pat Brady has been a great chairman. The job of chairman is to raise money and win elections. How can anyone say he succeeded in either respect?? How could the Ill. GOP be in worse shape?? Lovie Smith was fired for going 10-6!! Pat Brady failed in another respect by making a controversial statement to the press which was mistakenly inferred to represent party policy. It is not his role to set party policy. Jim Oberweis is equally wrong in implying that Brady should be removed for that statement. Brady should be removed for failing to lead the party and for contributing to the dysfunctional status it now has. He obviously lacks the leadership ability to be able to mitigate, if not avoid, further internecine strife. The circular firing party needs to be retired. Brady is entitled to his opinions on social policy, as is Oberweis and everyone else, but neither have the right or the authority to set policy for the state party. Illinois is a very diverse state social agendae are best left to dictates of the voters in the individual districts. It’s called Democracy. The Ill. GOP needs to focus on an economic agenda - not a social agenda. There is a Democratic Governor & a Democratic veto-proof majority in both chambers. That is not the result of either great or capable leadership of the state GOP.
- DownstateConservative - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 12:27 pm:
A friend of mine said just the other night that the best thing Pat Brady had going for him was that it was Jerry Clarke organizing the attempt to oust him. Jerry’s proven he can’t finish a thing he starts.
- Jason - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 12:31 pm:
Is it any suprise that Jim Oberweis couldnt set a meeting? All he’s done his whole career is lose races and sell milk
- Bears85 - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 12:54 pm:
Jim Oberweis represents all that is wrong with the current state of the IL GOP. In order to bear the Dem’s in 2014 IL Republicans needs to appeal to a wide spectrum of voters. Not only is Oberweis destroying the IL GOP’s chances of doing that, but he can’t even competently call a meeting. We need more Pat Brady’s and less Jim Oberweis’.
- more of same - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 12:58 pm:
DC your friend is a very smart person - he can’t finish anything he starts. BTW anyone know what the Clarkester is doing these days now that he isn’t Hulgren’s COS any more - besides of course doing more damage to the party.
- ChiTown Beltway - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 12:59 pm:
So the milk man wants to lose himself another race. Have fun with that, Oberweis.
And Clarke… keep dreaming. Neither one of these guys is serious.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 1:12 pm:
- Voice of Reason -,
Well said, and well “reasoned”.
To the post,
Jerry Clarke is a puzzle.
Military leader, accomplished, and well respected.
Politcally, seen as someone who isn’t afraid to mix it up, even if its against his end game, while going for personal vendettas instead of Party Ah-gendas.
Jerry Clarke, like “Jack!” Ryan, has only himself to blame for not being the nominee, and sometimes, …history, …like Tristano, … doesn’t come back to bite you right away, but comes back when you most need that history … to go away.
Oberweis is hiding the pitchforks and torches, but they are out there, and Jim Oberweis is not going to be able to Un-Ring the intolerance bell with a quote to Bernie.
Politics don’t work that way, Senator Oberweis, but I for one know you are just learing this politics thing.
- Cincinnatus - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 1:19 pm:
OW,
Leering?
- Voice of Reason - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 1:20 pm:
I believe the topic is the potential ouster of Pat Brady. The fact that Oberweis and Clarke are, well - Oberweis & Clarke doesn’t justify keeping Brady as Chairman. Nature will always fill a vacuum and the vacuum Oberweis & Clarke are TRYING to fill was created by Brady’s failed leadership. The Illinois GOP needs new leadership and new direction if it is to avoid the same old results - and when you have hit rock bottom as a party - 19 State Senators, Hello - the only direction to go is up. If Brady cared about the party, he would resign. If Oberweis cared about the party he would wear a muzzle. When the party becomes about US instead of ME - we will start to rebuild from the ashes we find ourselves in.
- CircularFiringSquad - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 1:21 pm:
Wow Gags Brady uses a loophole to beat ChopperJim and ChopperJerry….How cool
Perhaps that will allow for some SA to drop some paper on him and Mr. & Mrs ReBootress for their Karl Rove money laundering!
Fire, Aim Ready!
- Cheryl44 - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 1:27 pm:
Demoralized, that’s straight white Christian men. Please don’t include me in the population the GOP panders to. Oberweis doesn’t want me included, why should you.
- Questioning - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 1:29 pm:
The movement against Brady runs far beyond SSM, Jerry Clarke, or Jim Oberweis. The posting here are a bit clueless.
- Champaign Milkman - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 1:31 pm:
Does no-one else see the hypocrisy of Sen. Jim’s comments? He wants the Chairman to welcome people with beliefs outside the platform, yet it was totally unacceptable for Chairman Brady to take a stand outside the platform. Republicans need to be the “big tent” party. Ousting Chairman Brady sends a destructive message to “people with beliefs outside the platform.”
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 1:32 pm:
===Leering?===
I am not following, my point was Jerry and “Jack!” have themselves to blame. Jerry for the domain name that looked fishy, the cut and paste emails, and the Questionnaire that seemed to be targeted to a past issue that Jerry had been able to dirty his image up till then.
“Jack!” told his handlers of an issue, tried to wak it back, and the history of what the docs said, in the end, helped “Jack!” sink himself.
If that is not what you meant with the ===Leering?=== you may have to clarify for me.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 1:35 pm:
- Questioning -,
Not how Oberweis, up until the Bernie quote sold this to everyone. Use the Google key. Oberweis minced no words.
While you are very correct that there is/was more “there” there, Oberweis repeadily made this about SSM and Brady, we didn’t.
- Cincinnatus - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 1:38 pm:
OW,
“Politics don’t work that way, Senator Oberweis, but I for one know you are just learing this politics thing.”
- CubsMan723 - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 1:39 pm:
Of course Jerry Clarke cant close out a meeting, he can’t close out a gubernatorial election that his candidate led by 13 points with a month to go.
- Voice of Reason - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 1:40 pm:
Championing a cause that is not favored by a majority of voters in the state may be admirable, but it is not a recipe for reversing the fortunes of the party. That’s called mathematics. That the GOP has been branded as intolerant is tragic. That’s called a failure of leadership.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 1:41 pm:
- Cincinnatus -,
lol
See, I even missed it looking again. I will send you my posts to edit, but if you colud just check the spelling and not the content …
- Cincinnatus - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 1:51 pm:
OW,
I don’t normally comment on spelling (God knows I stink at typing, too), but I did kinda like the meaning my way…
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 2:02 pm:
Run with it if you like, - Cincinnatus -, and you claim it as your own.
If it helps in stopping this Dopiness, use it as often as necessary.
- LisleMike - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 2:02 pm:
Cheryl44 and Demoralized
Intersting comments. I am not a fan of Brady for same reason that Voice of Reason mentions. As to the platform of our Party, it is NOT inclusive and needs to be revisited. Those pushing the outster of Brady would not agree to any changes, regardless of Obie’s “tent”comments. It is easy in these comments to blast all Republicans (Or Dems, although doesn’t seem as often) by lumping all under the banner as one. Many of us are quite moderate, but no one on either side listens to us….YET.We are gaining slowly but surely!
- Esquire - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 2:04 pm:
JBT has such credibility discussing the status of Pat Brady as the leader of the Illinois Republican Party. As in “zero” credibility. JBT performed invaluable service as the state chair most responsible for advancing the career of Barack Obama. Her refusal to support the appointment of any sane candidate to replace Jack Ryan guaranteed Obama a place in the US Senate.
- Voice of Reason - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 2:14 pm:
Cheryl44 and Demoralized:
A pox on all of their houses. Neither Brady, nor Oberweis reflect the majority of a party capable of winning elections. We are gaining, indeed.
It is ironic that the reason the Dems. have complete control and the reason that they can’t pass a pension bill are one-in-the-same: They recognize the diversity of the state and tailor their candidates and messageS to their respective audiences. Their Reps. from more fiscally conservative districts can’t support Madigan on the pension bill. When the GOP learns from that model and appreciates the diversity of the state and backs away from blanket social positions it will start gaining as well.
- Raising Kane - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 2:22 pm:
Esquire, your read of history is a little faulty. JBT strongly opposed the selection of Alan Keyes. Topinka and Edgar both tried till they were blue in the face to convince those zealots on the state central committee that Keyes was a disaster. “Our black articulate guy can beat your black articulate guy” they reasoned. And the same clowns who came up with that brilliant theory are leading the dump Brady movement. How sad this party has become, maybe it is time for Senate Bill 600 after all.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 2:39 pm:
- Voice of Reason -,
===It is ironic that the reason the Dems. have complete control … backs away from blanket social positions it will start gaining as well.===
Keep in mind, the HGOP & SGOP run their own Shows, “Fire Madigan”, for example was a message, and each Caucus’ Political arm ran the races.
Pat Brady’s “strategy” … hurt … the Caucuses, but the HGOP & SGOP wear the jacket, or at least a vast majorty of that jacket.
I blame Brady for quite a bit, but the way those Caucuses ran this last cycle, and past cycles, leave many, including the Chairman and the Party, out of serious “loops” in GOTV in each district, and Candidate Recruitment.
- The Doctor - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 2:45 pm:
If they have the votes to oust Brady I’m guessing they have the votes to suspend the rules (Party Bylaws).
- dupage dan - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 2:46 pm:
Lawrence Peter must have been thinking about Oberweis when he wrote his missive on the “Peter Principle”.
- Voice of Reason - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 2:49 pm:
Oswego Willy:
I have only been responding to the topic of Brady being ousted. So far the most compelling reasons to keep him as Chairman are that Oberweis & Clarke are ninnies and the SCC erred in judgment in re Alan Keyes!! Quite an endorsement.
Now, if you want to broaden the conversation by including the HRO the SRO and the SCC - my logic remains the same. This hasn’t been a breakdown of just one segment of the party - it has been a collective failure. I would suggest we blow it up and start all over, but we’ve already imploded. The only thing left to do is start all over.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 2:59 pm:
I was responding to …
===They recognize the diversity of the state and tailor their candidates and messageS to their respective audiences. Their Reps. from more fiscally conservative districts can’t support Madigan on the pension bill.===
Thus my HGOP & SGOP post. I was just posting that while you are pointing out the problems the House, both the Dems and the GOP and the pensions, and my post about the HGOP & SGOP political.
That is why I responded as I did.
- Cheryl44 - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 3:38 pm:
LisleMike, I wish the moderates in the GOP would take your party back. I miss you guys.
- Endangered Moderate Species - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 3:56 pm:
-Republicans need to be the “big tent” party.-
Or at least be an “open tent” party.
- The Bottom Line - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 3:58 pm:
The reason why Pat Brady’s job is on the line is because he’s been an unsuccessful party chairman. Let’s look at the results:
1. Presided over the loss of the GOP’s best chance of winning the Governor’s Mansion in almost 10 years. (2010)
2. Lost four Congressional seats in 2010.
3. HGOP relegated to Superminority status.
4. SGOP relegated to Superminortity status.
5. Infuriated the State Party Finance Committee, leading to a massive drop in contributions.
6. As a result of #5, the ILGOP could no longer afford it’s Chicago office rent and had to move in with Senator Kirk’s campaign.
7. Did nothing to pair down 2010 Governor Candidate field, resulting in loss.
8. Laid off field staff, significantly reducing reach and influence of ILGOP.
9. As a result of 5 & 8, the ILGOP had no field operation, resulting in the RNC having to set up a Victory operation in Illinois, in order to give field support to candidates.
10. Personally endorsed unvetted candidates in local and committeeman’s races.
I’ll stop at ten, because it’s a round number. Pat Brady still does not have a plan or a viable staff going into 2014. Some may attribute his ouster to his stance on gay marraige. That may be true, but it simply obfuscates the fact that Pat Brady has overseen the biggest loss of Republican seats in state history,
- The Bottom Line - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 4:06 pm:
Sorry, #2 is the year 2012 .
- ironman - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 4:15 pm:
As i have stated in past post. Pat brady, bill brady, dillard, senate and house leaders need to go. If we want to move the gop forward this must happen. Heck clarke and bill brady thought they had quinn down and out. Creating their transition team in aug….kick em all out.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 4:28 pm:
Just two questions and a few observations:
When did the GOP get sideswiped–regardless of whether the hit came from within and/or from the Dems–by talk of “brands” and “branding problems”? And, why–if they decided to expose themselves to such scrutiny, couldn’t they manage to apply those brilliant concepts to the Dem’s Party?
I’m starting to believe that whatever money ILGOP had went to “progressive” and “innovate” PR and marketing services that hurt, rather than helped the party.
It’s a Party. Not a “product” or generic service.
And, OW, the questions are rhetorical.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 4:32 pm:
Come to think of it, I think I asked a similar question during the last US Senate race within the context of Kirk’s campaign. It was (paraphrased) “Since when did our candidates and elected officials become “prodcuts,” rather than actual people with their own personalities, values, posiitions, thoughts, etc?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 4:33 pm:
Sorry about the typos. They were unintentional.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 4:39 pm:
1) …lol … 3 posts c’mon!
2) This is Rich’s shop. If I post something after you, and Rich wants it gone, it will be gone. If want to answer, respond, question, mock, whatever to you or anything, trust me I will.
With kindest personal reagards, I remain.
Sincerely yours,
Oswego Willy
To Your Post,
If you can’t have a candidate be accpetable to 50% + 1 vote to the electorate, what’s the point? The Reagan Rule of 80% would dictate, that if someone agrees with our candidates 80% of the time and we don’t alienate them the 20% we don’t agree with them, wouldn’t we have a better shot at winning?
Or do we just want to be “Right”?
- Just The Way It Is One - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 5:32 pm:
The more you hear the more it comes clear how the Illinois GOP is, ironically, just a “house divided against itself” these days…it just feels like an old, broken down car lately struggling on fumes just to get to the side of the road for repairs…maybe that IS the operative term: repairs (as in, are needed, and right away)! Why not try a new approach? With a veto-proof Dem. Legislature and Governor, whatdya have to lose???
- Voice of Reason - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 9:38 pm:
Just The Way It Is:
Precisely - we have nothing to lose. We hit rock bottom. If this were business or sports Brady et al would have been fired or replaced long ago. It must be that most Republicans must be Cubs fans and willing to reward losers. Maybe we should move the Ill. GOP headquarters to Sluggers.
- Hacks - Thursday, Mar 7, 13 @ 10:42 pm:
No talk about Brady’s messing around in the primaries. I hear from many GOPers that support SSM, but hate this guy.
How about some idea of the weighted vote. Does Oberweis have it or not? I would suppose you don’t call the meeting without the necessary votes, but that’s just me.
- wordslinger - Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 7:44 am:
Bottom Line, despite all those valid points, the Big Brains with the Long Knives waited weeks after a second disappointing election cycle and hooked his ouster to support for gay marriage.
It was unnecessary and dumb.
The gay-marriage issue, virtually across-the-board, is a runaway train for those who will be voting ten, 20, 30 years from now.
By selecting it as the deal-breaker, the Big Brains sent a very clear signal to the growth sector of the electorate.
- onefootoutthedoor - Friday, Mar 8, 13 @ 8:44 am:
The party chairman’s role is to raise money. If the individual isn’t good at raising money, then they are not good at their job.