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* Rep. Dwight Kay (R-Glen Carbon) won by a little over 300 votes last year against an unknown, underfunded Democratic opponent who had no leadership backing.

Yet, now, he wants to run for House Republican Leader. As you already know, HGOP Leader Tom Cross wants to run for attorney general in case Lisa Madigan doesn’t stand for reelection. Several House Republicans are interested.

This Kay campaign is highly unusual because chamber leaders often have to take some pretty bad votes to help a member out here and there or to follow through on a deal with the other leaders. So, you just don’t usually see people from swing districts running for the top job anywhere in the country. There’s just too much danger that they’d be a one-termer and that it would cost the caucus even more money to defend them because they are the leader.

* Anyway, Kay recently sent out a glossy brochure touting his candidacy. The piece was posted on Jack Roeser’s Champion News site.

Click here to read it.

Some of the ideas aren’t bad at all, some of them are retreads. It’s a good-looking piece, but I did notice some avoidable typos, which prolly ain’t a great thing.

…Adding… Just in case you missed it when you were looking at Kay’s brochure…

NEW IDEAS: Dwight Kay wants the House Repubicans to be a laboratory of creativity, known for their innovative solutions. […]

JOB CREATOR: With our state facing record unemployment, the House Repubican Caucus would be well-served by having their leader also have real-world business experience.

Emphasis added to point out that maybe I’m wrong. Apparently, he’s running for something besides the House Republican Leader post.

* From Rep. Kay’s brochure…

* The Question: Caption?

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 12:43 pm

Comments

“Because I’m the alternative candidate. I let my dog tie my ties.”

Comment by The Muse Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 12:49 pm
Kay should have lost last election. Even if successful, the idea of him making himself more of a target is counterintuitive.
Roeser carries Edwardsville? Not likely.

Comment by Madison Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 12:49 pm
DwightKay.com is paid for by the campaign, check out the disclaimer.

Comment by anon Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:00 pm
Why Dwight Kay? Because apparently the only photograph that exists of him is this sepia-toned shot of him using a printing calculator in front of a grandfather clock.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:05 pm
“Every kiss begins with Kay”

Comment by dupage dan Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:05 pm
Why Dwight Kay?

Because he’s so old he still thinks stock photos with calculators are a good idea.

Comment by Farker Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:07 pm
I can use a calculator to make the numbers add up!

Comment by RNUG Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:08 pm
He looks like a bored front desk worker at a rundown Marriott.

Comment by Dee Lay Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:09 pm
DuPage Dan wins - all I can do is say “check out that calculator.”

Comment by lake county democrat Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:09 pm
Because he still owns one of those old adding machine thingys.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:10 pm
Looks like my accountant.

Comment by Darienite Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:17 pm
That machine got paper or is he being really radical by going paperless?

Comment by zatoichi Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:18 pm
This is a calculator?

No wonder there were so many typos.

Comment by Moderate Repub Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:18 pm
Glad to see that he will change “things”, whew now the House R’s can breath easy.

Comment by Obamas Puppy Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:19 pm
Note: A sepia filter was NOT applied to this photograph.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:22 pm
“As consistent as the Commodore 64″

Comment by NIref Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:31 pm
Why? Dwight Kay?

Comment by Knome Sane Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:32 pm
What?!? Dwight Kay?!?

Comment by Knome Sane Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:33 pm
“I want to run for Repubican Leadeer so that i can afford a word proceser with spellchecking.”

I really can’t find anywhere in the brochure where Republican is spelled correctly, please tell me I am missing at least one.

Comment by Regent Wilson Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:37 pm
Why knot?

Comment by LakeviewJ Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:41 pm
If your not OK, then vote Dwight Kay!

Comment by Spliff Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:44 pm
Not to nitpick, but Karmeier didn’t unseat an incumbent (nor was Jay technically there for 19 years, but at least that one is close to true).

Comment by Juice Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:49 pm
Dwight Kay promises he’ll try to stay awake for next photoshoot.

Comment by too obvious Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:54 pm
Just what the GOP desperately needs…

Turn the caucus leadership over to a stooge of Jack Roeser. Surely the express train to winning back suburban and independent voters.

Comment by Adam Smith Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 1:54 pm
The baller from accounts payable

Comment by The Captain Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:05 pm
Because I’m an intolerant really, really White guy. That’s why.

Comment by Rahm'sMiddleFinger Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:06 pm
Calculator? No wonder nobody returns my calls.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:09 pm
DuPage Dan posted what I wanted to post.

Comment by Bill White Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:09 pm
Excel? What dat?

Comment by Bill White Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:10 pm
“Why Dwight Kay?”

Exactly!

Comment by eastsider Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:10 pm
Leadership is determined by candles on the cake. It takes several puffs to blow ‘em out. That’s how I know I’m perfect for the job.

Comment by A guy... Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:18 pm
Kay For Leader: Because he’s tired of being ignored.

Comment by Give Me A Break Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:23 pm
Let’s see, fundraising plus targetted precinct data, plus candidate recruitment, plus polling and social media, plus improved staff allocation…carry the 2…and the grand total is…70-48.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:29 pm
“Why Dwight Kay?

No, seriously. Why Dwight Kay? Have you not seen some of the other contenders? Why Dwight Kay?”

Comment by Dirty Red Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:31 pm
“Plus one, plus one, plus one …and me! … Dang, still 47!”

“If I gt the HGOP down to 39 seats, … carry the 5,… then add me …I only nees 20 votes.”

“$30. plus $20 ….plus $20 … I kicked in $10 extra … my Caucus Fund is … ‘total’ … $97.53?…”

“4+4+3+5+2+4+3+4+5….total ….Tell Cross its still a 34 on the Front Nine … tell him to call when he is finished on 18 …”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:33 pm
The wrong headline with the wrong image on the cover. Unprofessional design overall.

Comment by curtis Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:33 pm
First, winner of the George Ryan look-a-like contest, next, Repblican House leader.

Comment by West Side the Best Side Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:34 pm
Why Dwight Kay?…

…Because more 14-page mail pieces are JUST what the GOP needs to turn this around!

Why Dwight Kay?…
… Because I personify the aloof, out-of-touch Republican that voters love! (That’s why I sent an extremely impersonal mailing to my colleagues that I’ve worked with, lo, these 3 years).

Why Dwight Kay?…
… Because, did you know I’m a businessman?

Comment by Hyperbolic Chamber Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:35 pm
How many votes does one need to be head of the “Repubican” caucus anyways?

Comment by train111 Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:36 pm
“Yikes, Quinn better get me paid …pls $47, plus $47…per diem ain’t going to cut it!”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:40 pm
Why Dwight Kay?…

… Because, to stop losing, all we Republicans need to do is drop the ‘l’. (Then we’ll just be “osing”. Or maybe “oozing”. I’m not sure. But I’ll push our staff to think out of the box and complete my rebranding plan on Day 1. Hoffman couldn’t do this even after 19 years. Did I mention I beat Jay Hoffman?)

Comment by Hyperbolic Chamber Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:46 pm
“Since Gov. Quinn cut salaries for state legislators, I have had to pawn my TI-83 and resort to the old ways of playing Tetris on a calculator.”

Comment by Dirty Red Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:48 pm
Why isn’t anyone answering my call? This is the 5th time I’ve punched in the number.

Comment by A guy... Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:50 pm
“4,3,7,7,0….when I turn it upside down …’hello’ …”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:51 pm
“I’ve got the drive to get us there” as soon as I figure out how to start this darn thing.

Comment by Ggal Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:52 pm
“We should use this picture from 1985 … no one will think its taht old …”

“Why doesn’t Roeser have accounts for this…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 2:56 pm
Where to start?

First of all, it’s full of pablum with no specifics — a la Bruce Rauner.

Did I miss substance about expanding the party, reaching out to non-traditional GOP voters, or any recognition of changing demographics?

Second of all, it looks like it was printed in somebody’s basement. The type is all jumbled, the pics horrible, and couldn’t he at least have pretended to understand one of those “magic boxes” and sat in front of a computer? Will the same brain-trust do all the House GOP mail?

“Judge McGlynn is now the only sitting GOP judge.” He forgot — BY APPOINTMENT. Taking credit for Karmeier’s fundraising was a nice touch. I suppose he got the US Chamber in to pay for all those tv commercials — NOT.

This is a perfect illustration of the right-wing of the GOP. I haven’t paid my dues, I want a title, I stand for nothing except the “same old, tired ideas”, and if I stick my head in the sand, changing demographics aren’t happening.

Comment by LincolnLounger Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:04 pm
Dwight Kay &. Dwight K. Schrute….

Because being a leader is a hell of a lot better than the Assistant to the Assistant Manager!

Comment by Stones Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:08 pm
Why Dwight Kay? Because he’s a Real Leader…so Hip-Hip Hooray! ‘Cuz when it comes to tough Votes, just seek out Dwight Kay…for when the GOP should vote “Yea,” and when they should vote “Nay!”…BOTH for the FUture AND for ToDAY!!

So for your House Leader, you’ve GOT to vote KAY–’cuz one thing’s for sure, Members–HE’LL show us the WAY!!!”

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:10 pm
“Pretend you are NOT a state Representative … look … un-Mushroom-like … or … busy … bang on that calculator for example …”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:19 pm
“No, I am not Arthur Andersen.”

Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:19 pm
- AA -!

Very well played!!

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:20 pm
He thinks that he’s the smartest kid in the room. He touts his DC and IL business connections and I’ll bet $1000 he can’t get a single major business group (IRMA, IMA, Chamber of Commerce or NFIB) to endorse his candidacy.

Comment by 1776 Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:21 pm
More hair than Dwight Eisenhower and less violent than Dwight Schrute!

Comment by Jake From Elwood Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:25 pm
“…’total’ … yep, 300 again … Start again … ‘Precinct 1, win by 12 votes’ …”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:32 pm
- Jake From Elwood -,

Wow …nicely done.

To the Caption,

“No, no,….NO! …Who forgot to add more adding paper!”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:33 pm
“If I cut out Lattes, (tap, tap, tap) …and cigars (tap, tap, tap)…took as sack lunch to the Floor … (tap, tap, tap)…got a meal or two from lobbyists (tap, tap, tap)…my ‘Jack Roeser per diem’ … (tap, tap, tap)…my actual per diem (tap, tap, tap)… and tap water not bottled water …There!

Justin Bieber tickets …(tap, tap, tap)”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:37 pm
“Great … now our next ’shot’ is the ‘Bost Toss’ … grab that stack of papers and throw it in the air …”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:42 pm
“If I get elected ‘Leader’ …(tap, tap, tap)…12 targets to fund …(tap, tap, tap)…and mail programs …(tap, tap, tap)…Staff on the Payroll….(tap, tap, tap)…and that leaves …(tap, tap, tap)…why is it always a negative number before I fund my race?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:45 pm
If anybody else used the word “Repubicans,” I’d probably ban them for life.

Just sayin, Dwight…

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:45 pm
Geeze, I wish I didn’t resemble George Ryan so much.

Comment by A Casual Observer Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:47 pm
“Which ‘key’ takes me to ‘The Twitter’…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:49 pm
“…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…wow…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…Geez, Louise, again …(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…and finally!…(tap, tap, tap).

That is a lot of Greens Fees Tom …”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:53 pm
“…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…wow…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…Geez, Louise, again …(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…and finally!…(tap, tap, tap).

Jack, you lost all these races you were involved in, huh …”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:54 pm
“…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap)…(tap, tap, tap).”

“Well, Dwight, what’s the total?”

“Total? I wasn’t adding anything, I like the ‘Tap’ sound and the printing on the paper …”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 3:59 pm
“Now that Lisa is not running, that means Cross is running. Oh crap, how much money am I going to have to raise on my own now?”

Comment by yepperdo Friday, Jul 12, 13 @ 4:18 pm