* The Tribune’s editorial board thinks that Sen. Kirk Dillard’s TV ad for Barack Obama is a peachy keen…

Treason? Hardly. Dillard has responded like a real person, someone whose admiration for a colleague isn’t predicated on an R or a D.

* Dillard told the edit board that his phone was ringing off the hook…

“The ultra-right committeemen called and expressed their disappointment yesterday and today,” Dillard said. “They’re calling right now, thanks to agitators out there who spanked these guys into a frenzy.”

* Today’s Senate GOP caucus should be interesting. Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson wants Dillard, a member of Watson’s leadership team, to explain himself to his fellow Republicans…

Watson… called on Dillard, a Senate Republican whip from Hinsdale, to “address why he did this and the ramifications of it” in a meeting with the Senate GOP lawmakers Wednesday.

“He is a leader in the Republican Party, and I think maybe that’s a step beyond where he should have gone,” Watson said.

* But Dillard was defiant, and claimed that the ad was no big deal and said “My caucus should thank me” for all the publicity…

“The bigger message being sent is that we know how to cooperate, and the current crop of Democrats needs to have an infusion of Republican input because it’s just gridlock and economic chaos coming out of Springfield,” said Dillard, a supporter of GOP presidential contender John McCain of Arizona.

* As you can imagine, former Senate President Pate Philip is not a happy man. Pate recommended Dillard to replace him as DuPage County GOP chairman, never liked Democrats much and wasn’t exactly the most open-minded person on racial issues…

“To say I was disappointed in him would be an understatement,” Philip said.

I’ll bet.

* And what happens if John McCain doesn’t win the primary? Well, this is what Dillard told ABC7…

Dillard also said he isn’t endorsing Obama “at this juncture,” but he has not decided what he will do if McCain loses the Republican nomination and Obama ends up winning the Democratic race.

* Related stories on the GOP’s latest problems…

* GOP stalwart switches sides - Democrats welcome Froehlich’s move

* Illinoize: GOP loses solid conservationist

* Illinois Reason: On Froehlich switch