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[This story was originally posted Saturday, but has now been updated and bumped up for conversational purposes.]
* Opponents of Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady were not able to muster the votes to oust him today. Indeed, no votes were even taken on an ouster, which was a serious defeat to his most outspoken opponents.
However, the central committee did set up a process to find a replacement. So, it appears as though the “surrender with honor” idea by top Republicans has worked. Brady can announce a resignation “of his own accord” and without a sword over his head. The opponents “win” because Brady will step down, but there will not be a hardline conservative appointed in his place. Expect either Sen. Matt Murphy or somebody like him.
* The Illinois Review summed up a few tweets from the meeting…
# Meeting went to Executive Session without period for public comment
# Crowd got rowdy and began to chant outside Executive Session
# Oberweis went out to crowd to calm them. Offered ice cream.
# Tinley Park police called because of noise complaint
# Reports of “hundreds” outside GOP State Rep. Ed Sullivan’s office - protesting his intention to vote for marriage redefinition
* Um, here’s a photo of what IR called “hundreds” of people outside Rep. Sullivan’s office…
Doesn’t look like “hundreds” to me. More like a few dozen or so.
* Also, click here for tweets from the hashtag #ilgop for your entertainment purposes.
*** UPDATE *** Coverage roundup…
* Tribune: Brady still chairman, but state GOP panel preps for his succession
NBC5: Brady Ouster Fails, Support for Gay Marriage Continues
* Daily Herald: Republicans keep Brady as party chair at Tinley Park meeting
* AP: Brady to remain Illinois Republican Chairman
* IL Review: Illinois Republican State Central Committee retains Brady as party chairman
* IL Review: Videos of ILGOP meeting begin to emerge
* IL Review: Another video from ILGOP meeting
* William Kelly: Kelly Calls on Pat Brady to Apologize for “Treating Republicans Like Animals”
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 9:50 am
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What was the point of all that? Weeks of stories highlighting the GOP standing on the tracks of a fast-moving train coming its way? Nothing else was accomplished.
No one won and nothing was resolved. Just a big bowl of bad.
Since the Alan Keyes debacle, the state GOP has been like the 1962 Mets: “Can’t anybody here play this game?”
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 10:01 am
We all thought same the Republican Party would hamstring the advancement of same sex marriage, but who knew that the advancement of same sex marriage would hamstring the Republican Party?
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 10:06 am
What an embarrassing circus.
Comment by Whatever Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 10:12 am
Followed some of this nonsense on twitter
Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 10:17 am
Oops. Didn’t mean to post that already. Was going to say I followed some of the nonsense on twitter but when I saw the fake Pat Brady twitter account taunting the fake Oberweis account (at least I hope it was fake) I had to quit following it out of embarrassment
Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 10:29 am
The only thing that was missing from the Blood Oathers and Litmus Testers was the pitchforks and torches. But, good for them, they had signs!
I have never seen or heard of a “Political” person so inept at handling his agenda than Jim Oberweis.
Those signs said the ouster IS about SSM, not about being a CEO. Remember that. You and your feeble attempt by posting and talking and explaing just washes away at the sight of those signs, and why those protesters were there to support you, Jim Oberwies.
I did think it was a nice touch serving Ice Cream, usually “mobs” are subdued with frozen treats as the Police arrive. The group protesting is a solid “base” to bring even more people … as long as they are EXACTLY like those in the “mob.”
=== Oberweis reacted strongly on Friday against speculation that an agreement crafted by Brady supporters could be reached and that Brady might exit gracefully and be replaced by state Sen. Matt Murphy, of Palatine.
“It’s going to be determined by the state central committee and not by anybody who thinks suddenly they’ve got a great idea,” Oberweis said.===
You got nothing …Senator …Oberweis. You failed in every way imaginable. You failed in message, you failed in redirect, you failed in coalition building, and you failed in execution.
Thank goodness for My Party you fail.
===…that does not mean that they are not good Republicans.===
Where is the Reagan Rule that the SCC sees that you, Sen. Oberweis, do not? The Committee in its wisdom realized that actualy …living .. the idea that Republicans can be inclusive is better than embracing the STAIN of the Oberweis Coup # … is it 2, or 3, I can’t keep track.
The ONLY test the ILGOP should have is …”Do we agree 80% of the time, and are you willing to work with fellow Republicans to makes things better?”
Well done, SCC. Well done, indeed.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 10:31 am
There are times that I am embarassed for my Party. This is one of them. Nature abhors a vacuum and I beleive there is a vacuum of power in Republican leadership. The resultant vacuum is sucking in all of the fringe elements and those who feel their personal moral turf is threatened to make a bigger mess than already exists. We have to stand for something,and it appears we stand for confusion.
Comment by LisleMike Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 10:54 am
The meeting showed the GOP is more interested in being responsive to its members than in growing divisive.
Maybe they know there is too little to be gained by partaking in religious decision making within the GOP or peaking into Illinois bedrooms with legislation in hand.
Leave the Marryin’ Sams and Samanthas alone.
Comment by Hans Sannity Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 10:56 am
Glad to see the ILGOP stand up to the far-right purists that have tried to hijack the party and win one. Hoping they can rebuild a party brand that is a true big tent alternative to the tax, spend and ignore approach to our fiscal woes - this suburban woman might vote for that.
Comment by 10th Indy Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 10:57 am
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
–Abraham Lincoln
Comment by Wensicia Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 11:05 am
As Forrest Gump’s momma used to say: “stupid is as stupid does”.
But I would add the “Brady Corollary”: “Cannibal is as cannibal does.”
Some of these Republican’s, like William Kelly, are so uptight, if you shoved a piece of coal up their keister, they’d pop out a diamond.
Comment by Knome Sane Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 11:29 am
Bring on Matt Murphy.
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 11:31 am
- Cincinnatus -,
Rich closed comments Friday before I could change and correctly change the post to point out that the “I” was wrong in the context you were talking about …you were more than right, you and I and many, many others were calling for the ouster, and you were more than right saying none of the “leaders” did as we and some amny others did.
My apologies.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 11:37 am
Jeez Rich, are you ever going to get off the anti-conservative bandwagon?
Comment by Liberty_First Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 11:38 am
I don’t really have a dog in this fight but he needs to step down because he unilaterally changed a party position. You let the candidates and elected leaders make these decisions.
Comment by shore Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 11:54 am
–Jeez Rich, are you ever going to get off the anti-conservative bandwagon?–
That’s right. Where does the owner of a publication dedicated solely to Illinois politics and government get off on reporting about the state GOP meeting to oust their chairman?
You call that news?
You didn’t even mention what kind of ice cream was served. Your bias is showing.
Should have known, the way you’ve shilled for Quinn and Blago over the years….
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 12:10 pm
- Liberty_First -,
Good one! If you discount years and years of reporting on the Dopiness of Moderates, Democrats, and Left Wing extremists, you got Rich but good!
Or maybe the Litmus Testers and Blood Oathers can’t help but make news as we Republicans are Veto-Proofed out ouf everything legislatively and “Slytherin House” want to be heard? We are hearing them, doesn’t mean we are required to agree, but they know they are “Right” and not afraid to say it…
Unless it backfires, ” Right”, “Political Director”?
Conservatives are shining the light on themselves.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 12:22 pm
Patrick Brady is a cancer growing on the Republican Party. Brady previously surrendered his law license, which suggests he has something to hide (very unusual for lawyers to surrender licenses). His leadership hasbeen a disaster. All told, the definition of a cancer. Political parties are always squabbling; but the toxicity Brady has engendered is highly unusual. Not everyone opposing him is an extremist.
Comment by Andy Martin Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 12:42 pm
- Andy Martin -
Context of the “Coup” is the debate.
I want/”ed” Pat Brady gone since the ILGOP got veto-proofed out of BOTH chambers and, and, and ….etc.
I refuse to be a part of a “Coup” based on the idea of SSM, so that the ILDems can point to the STAIN of intolerance and rigidness, all the while shrinking the idea of the Reagan Rule.
The context of Oberweis, and the “signs” Saturday, and the “ice cream served to calm the crowds” is not something I would sign on for, and neither would the SCC, and that is the “right” decision as Pat Brady exits the stage.
Jim Oberweis overplayed his hand (shocking), change the narrative, and when were could have agreed 100% to “Retire Brady” in November or December, it’s now about being “Right” and Purity.
Can’t be a Republican wanting to win and growth and be about shrinking and Purity and the same breath here in Illinois. The math and the politics don’t add up.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 12:50 pm
–(very unusual for lawyers to surrender licenses).–
Andy Martin would be the expert on unusual moves by lawyers.
–Not everyone opposing him is an extremist.–
Also an expert on extremists.
Geez, having Andy Martin against you is better than a truck of Oberweis ice cream on the 4th of July.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 12:52 pm
Brady is the cancer? Wow. Could have fooled me.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 1:04 pm
Apologies are never needed, OW!
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 1:14 pm
Watching the ILGOP squabble is great fun to me. I think Pat Brady has been a disaster for the party, but the one good thing he has done is try to move it back towards the center. Oberweiss trying to tell everyone he wants Brady out but not because of Brady’s inclusivness is hilarious and typical of the extreme right wing and its need for constantly reinventing what has actually gone on.
Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 1:21 pm
I am with Willy on this pretty much down the line, and I agree with Cinci about apologizing. However, until we show action, it means nothing. My stance on Oberwiess has been chronicalled here repeatedly, so I could almost enjoy watching him put his foot in it yet again, except it becomes a beacon for criticism and ridicule from those who delight in our foibles. Not every Republican is in lock step with the extremes. Most espouse basic premise of our party, smaller government, etc. But they are drowned out by the inflated egos of the extremists. I always want to point out that you are not a “leader” if no one is following..can’t beleive I am actually agreeing with Andy Martin on that!
Comment by LisleMike Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 1:42 pm
Andy Martin:
Do you have any specifics on that law license claim? I don’t know the circumstances, but it sets off my skeptic senses; details and context would be helpful. I’ve heard something like that before and at least in that case, it was quite silly.
Comment by jaranath Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 1:46 pm
Chavez-rO neatly explains why Rich does so many of these ILGOP posts, even though the GOP has no power:
“Watching the ILGOP squabble is great fun to me.”
In other words, Rich is doing what I like to call “Throwing Red Meat To The Faithful” in order to pump up traffic/comments.
When I was blogging, my two favorite “red meat” subjects were Phil Hare who was always saying or doing something stupid and Rich’s long time pal, Mike Jacobs, who I always thought was born with a silver foot in his mouth.
Either one of these topics would surge traffic and boost comments.
Of course both of these guys had/have power, as does their political party in IL and nationally, so at least I could think I was afflicting the comfortably powerful. These multiple ILGOP posts at CapFax are an invitation for bullies to kick sand in the face of the 90 pound weakling—which is “great fun”.
What I did was kick the shins of Goliath. lol
Comment by qcexaminer Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 1:50 pm
===These multiple ILGOP posts at CapFax are an invitation for bullies to kick sand in the face of the 90 pound weakling===
Another victim heard from.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 1:52 pm
I have to laugh at this. It has been 40+ years since I lived in Spfld. My Dad was a newsman at the Capitol when the press room used to be on the third floor. If this kind of discussion is considered kicking sand in face of 90# weakling, someone really is a victim. this is nothing to what I used to hear among the news guys. It also helped shape me into who I am today… a victim not!
Comment by LisleMike Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 2:01 pm
Rich nailed it in the intro.
This was a 10 foot problem with a 9 foot ladder. No perfect solutions in one day.
Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed.
And that is a good thing for our state.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 2:04 pm
=== which suggests he has something to hide (very unusual for lawyers to surrender licenses). ===
I am sorry, but Mr. Martin is incorrect.
According to the ARDC’s most recent annual report, more than 12% of the 87,943 registered attorneys in Illinois were on inactive status. - http://www.iardc.org/annualreport2011.pdf
And let’s not forget that the President and First Lady’s law licenses are also inactive. According to snopes.com and others, this is neither unusual nor indicative of any cause for concern. It is fairly easy to reactivate your license, and many people do so for many different reasons - http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/lawlicenses.asp
Of course, if we are jumping to conclusions, perhaps we should accuse Obama and Brady of being in cahoots.
Blame the New World Order. Or the Trilateral Commission. That is the only logical explanation.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 2:15 pm
Andy Martin
Facts are stubborn things with which you are clearly not acquainted. Pat still holds a valid law license but is currently inactive because he doesn’t practice law….he is a forensic accounting consultant. As for the “cancer” analogy, I personally don’t appreciate that due to the battle Pat’s wife is currently undergoing with that disease. Think before you post.
Comment by J Brady Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 3:12 pm
Formerly Known As:
I didn’t know who Mr. Martin was until I checked the link in his name. I…rather doubt he considers the Obama example harmful to his claim about Brady.
Comment by jaranath Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 4:10 pm
Tinley Park, Illinois (aka. Elephant’s Graveyard)–Where the old elephants go to die.
Comment by Muffin Man Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 4:25 pm
“Not every Republican is in lock step with the extremes.”
How many GOP legislators voted for civil unions and how many plan on voting for marriage equality? If over 95% are voting the same way, wouldn’t that be the definition of ‘lock step’?
Comment by late to the party Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 4:38 pm
===How many GOP legislators voted for civil unions and how many plan on voting for marriage equality? If over 95% are voting the same way, wouldn’t that be the definition of ‘lock step’?===
18 out of 19 Senators, and only 3 or so of 47 House Members voting makes the work of My Party difficult to sell as “inclusive”
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 15, 13 @ 4:59 pm