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My syndicated newspaper column looks at the massive defeat of the Senate Republicans in Illinois. The Senate Democrats now have a veto-proof majority plus one.
[Senate GOP Leader Frank Watson’s] candidates were outclassed by one of the most extraordinary crops of Democratic hopefuls I’ve ever seen fielded at any one time; the Democrats had their most successful election since Watergate; mega-rock star Barack Obama personally campaigned or appeared in direct mail for all the Senate Democratic hopefuls and — bada-bing, bada-boom — the Republicans are left with 22 seats, and they’re now more irrelevant than an electric blanket in Baghdad.
The joke going around last week was that Watson’s punishment for losing so many races ought to be another two years as minority leader.
How serious was the Illinois Republican debacle? The AP has some bullet points.
* Forty-six percent of voters identified themselves as Democrats, compared to 39 percent just two years ago. Only 31 percent claimed the title of Republican, down from 34 percent.
* Hispanics, the state’s fastest growing ethnic group, overwhelmingly consider themselves Democrats. Seventy-nine percent of Hispanic voters identified themselves as Democrat, and only 8 percent as Republicans.
* Fifty-one percent of female voters consider themselves Democrats, and only 30 percent Republicans.
* Democrats made gains in legislative districts in Chicago suburbs that had been safely Republican, giving them a “super-majority†in the Senate that will let them pass any kind of legislation without GOP votes.
* The party’s “farm team†was devastated. Every candidate for statewide office was defeated, often by a landslide.
* For the first time in more than a century, a Democrat won a seat on the McHenry County Board.
Eric Krol adds some perspective.
The Illinois Republican Party now has managed to win just one statewide race in the past six years.
Following last week’s electoral debacle, the state GOP is 1-for-14 during that time, with the only win coming back in 2002 when Judy Baar Topinka won a third term as state treasurer. In the 13 other statewide races, whether for president, U.S. Senate or a state constitutional office, the party has fallen short.
The top-of-the-ticket has featured a conservative (Jim Ryan, who lost the 2002 governor’s race). It’s featured a moderate (Topinka, who lost the governor’s race last Tuesday). And it’s featured someone from out-of-state (Maryland’s Alan Keyes, who lost the 2004 U.S. Senate race by a record margin).
None of the approaches have worked.
And Dana Huepel reports that Mark Kirk is being mentioned a lot as the future of the Republican Party.
When asked after the election who might step into the spotlight, party leaders at first named some obvious choices: Republican legislative leaders and several candidates from this year’s election who ran statewide and lost.
But among the many names mentioned in various combinations, one made nearly every list: U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk of Highland Park.
Kirk weathered the national Democratic storm Tuesday, winning a fourth term to represent the 10th District, which runs along the lakeshore north of Chicago, with 53 percent of the vote. He is a Naval Reserve intelligence officer and served in Iraq, Haiti and Bosnia, as well as in four Navy tours at sea and three in Panama.
The 47-year-old congressman serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee and was named one of the “28 Emerging Leaders in Congress” by Congressional Quarterly magazine.
“I tried to get Mark Kirk to run this time, and he wanted to stay in Congress,” former Republican Gov. Jim Edgar said several days after the election. “I thought he had the perfect profile to win statewide.”
The Tribune reports that Peter Roskam’s race is seen as a model for the future, but that the logic has some big holes.
McKenna points to Peter Roskam’s victory in the open-seat west suburban 6th Congressional District race against Democrat Tammy Duckworth as a template for the GOP’s future, investing in ground forces and targeted-household data-files to recruit voters.
“Peter Roskam demonstrates what can happen when you put the right kind of field organization in place and have a candidate who can win on the issues, even in suburban communities that have trended away from us,” McKenna said. “Now we’ve got to build that same thing across the state.”
Yet Roskam’s victory came in a longtime Republican congressional district less affected by Democratic gains than other suburban areas. The multimillion dollar cost to give Roskam an edge points to the difficulties that the GOP may face in years ahead.
Are there any other names you’d like to suggest?
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 1:06 am
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The problem with moving Kirk up the ladder is that as soon as he runs for another office, IL-10 becomes a Democratic pickup. Also, how much crossover appeal does Kirk really have? He got 52% against someone who was running for office for the first time, didn’t live the in the district, and had less money. Seals could take him out in 2008 and a well funded district resident politican will have a great shot too.
Running Kirk statewide? Downstate Republicans will just eat up his D rating by the NRA. While Kirk might be a decent candidate statewide in the general election, his gun stances and other ‘moderate’ beliefs would keep him from ever winning a statewide primary.
Roskam is the same as Kirk. He won by even less than Kirk and will be in constant threat of losing as his district becomes more Democratic.
For Republicans to have any success statewide in Illinois, they are going to have attract Hispanics to the party. Many Hispanics are deeply Catholic and therefore strongly pro-life. A strong Hispanic Chicago Republican could run as a pro-life, good government, pouplist Republican and be very competitive statewide. Not only would that candidate appeal to downstate Republicans, that candidate would also get Poshard Democrats and a good amount of the Hispanic vote and Forrest Claypool type Chicago Democrats. Of course Hispanic, populist, good gooverment Republicans don’t exactly grow on trees. The only one I could think of that might fit the mold is Peter Garza. I don’t know his politics too well though. Perhaps Jackson endorsed Garza for Sherrif so any future Republican candidate could use that against Garza in a primary.
Anyway, I’ve rambled. Here’s what I think the GOP should set up to do in Illinois in 2010:
Governor: Ray LaHood
Lt Gov: Peter Garza
Attorney General: Patrick O’Malley
Treasurer: Jack Ryan
Comptroller: Carole Pankau
Secretary of State: Tim Johnson
Move Aaron Schock up to LaHood’s seat.
Tim Johnson is much more moderate than people assume. Lahood is viewed as being pretty moderate. The Republicans have to start going into Hispanic communities and figure out how they can work together. If they can tap a group of people angry at organizations like HDO, they could be successful. Have no idea if Garza could lead, but he would be a start. Jack Ryan was a self-made partner at Goldman Sachs. He could win the Treasurer race, the sex stuff would be old news.
I’m sure most of this will get ripped to shreads. Have at it.
Comment by Horseshoe Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 2:30 am
Kirk didn’t listen to Edgar, so at least that’s something. O’Malley would be a great attorney general but could never win. Ryan? Surely you jest. Schock does deserve LaHood’s seat.
Comment by T.J. Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 3:12 am
Kicking Jim Edgar to the curb would be a start. I’d give Andy the boot, too.
Comment by B Hicks Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 7:38 am
I agree that Schock should have a bright future and I’m suprised that he wasn’t mentioned in the original post. Two years ago he knocked-off an incumbent Democrat in a deep-blue statehouse district and was just re-elected with 60% of the vote against a well known challenger from the city council, AND he’s only in his early-to-mid twenties. Whatever he’s doing is working. Take a lesson Republicans!!
Comment by Voter Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 8:15 am
You can’t make the assumption that being Catholic and being “deeply pro-life” go hand in hand, even among Hispanic Catholics. That simply isn’t the case anymore. Exit polling alone tells you that. And that exemplifies one of the main problems with the republican party–it’s trying to move forward based on old ideas. The republicans might have a better shot at attracting Hispanics if they would stop vilifying them on mailing pieces.
Comment by Atticus Finch Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 8:30 am
Governor: Ray LaHood-possibly
Lt Gov: Peter Garza-wha? got smoken in Cook, cannot win statewide
Attorney General: Patrick O’Malley-never vote for the tool.
Treasurer: Jack Ryan-liar, hid behind his kid and hasn’t apolized for it
Comptroller: Carole Pankau-possibly
Secretary of State: Tim Johnson-possibly
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 8:35 am
I suspect that, rather than go down to Dan Seals in a rematch in 2008, Cong. Kirk will run against Durbin in the Seante race, knowing he’ll lose (but saving face and some of his political future).
The future is absolutely bleak for the Republicans. With control of the US House gone, the money and resources that were used to prevent losses in the House races this year won’t be there for them in 2008. Run the same group of Democrats against them in 2008 (all of whom will be better known to the voters of their respective districts), and the 111th Congress that convenes in 2009 might have an Illinois delegation consisting of just two Republicans, Manzullo and LaHood. At that point, pressure might be overwhelming on those two to run for statewide office in 2010. If you thought 2006 was a wipeout for the GOP, just wait for the next two elections.
Comment by fedup dem Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 9:30 am
Without getting into to many specifics, I’d agree that Jack Ryan deserves another chance. Kirk is going to have a race on his hands in 08, and might be persuaded to just give it up and make a run at Durbin. If McCain or Romney are at the top of the ticket, that could be a powerful combo to help pick up some legislative seats and secure any vulnerable GOP congressional seats. Then, go from there in 2010.
The GOP needs to find a balance between two things - moderates and conservatives, and old guard and fresh faces. Kirk Dillard is going to be a behind the scenes power broker for sure, but I’m not sure I could see him running statewide. I hope he makes a run at Watson for Senate Leader.
Cross is probably out soon - waiting for Denny to retire. Would be nice to see someone like Beth Coulson move into the Leader’s office there. A moderate who could forge alliances with suburban and downstate Dems to blunt Madigan’s power.
I think the GOP also needs to look at what the parties in Michigan and Minnesota did: recruit from the business commmunity. DeVos would have won if it wasn’t such a bad year to have an R next to your name, and he would have been a top notch governor there - Presidential timber at that.
The party leaders need to red Applebees America, and learn about targeting potential Republican voters in highly Democratic precincts. It takes time and money, but it allows you to tap into a huge block of voters that are largely being ignored and written off right now. There are lots of upper-middle income voters moving into the city that the GOP needs to stay in contact with.
Comment by grand old partisan Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 9:41 am
The last thing Republicans should do is act like Democrats. Mark Kirk was said to be one of the Democrat-like Republicans.
BTW, did we ever get the marriage records of those two Chicago reporters that were out to destroy Jack Ryan?
Comment by Crimefighter Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 9:51 am
“The Tribune reports that Peter Roskam’s race is seen as a model for the future, but that the logic has some big holes.”
Actually, that’s not true. It cost the GOP more $ in the 6th because the open seat was targeted. Roskam’s fundraising was a reaction to that. And his ground game was good. How long had he been knocking on doors personally?
This is an odd statement given that the reason Duckworth was recruited was because the district was becoming more democratic and the seat was perceived to be vulnerable. Now, it wasn’t so vulnerable… yet it’ll still be expensive to hold because there may be difficulties in year’s ahead…
It isn’t McKenna misreading things, it’s the Trib. ..
Comment by Greg Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 9:55 am
I think this talk of someone having to be “moderate” to win statewide is misguided. Didn’t we just see Judy garner less votes than Alan Keyes?
I think we need someone who could successfully bridge the two wings. Perhaps a mainstream prolifer who is disciplined and on-message and doesnt’t scare off moderates.
A more liberal Republican like Judy doesn’t work, becase she ends up losing half the base.
The bottom line is that I think the party needs someone to emerge from the grassroots, someone who has some kind of executive experience and is well-spoken.
I’m not sure who that is, but that is what we need.
Comment by Dan Darling Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 10:03 am
The obvious name left out is Kicker Thomas.
He went to the media before deciding the abortion notification issue. He’s running for something.
I suspect he would be a fair candidate at best, but that beats most of what the ILGOP has offered.
I was a big fan of Alexi, but his opponent has a future. Ragodno ran a respectable race in a year in which Illinois Republicans didn’t have a chance.
Kirk could only do it if he’s ready to give up his seat to the Dems. His district will fall unless he’s in it, and Sen. Durbin is a tough candidate and a smart guy. Kirk is probably the best the GOP has to offer, but Sen. Durbin will beat him by 10.
Roskam barely beld Hyde’s old seat. He should enjoy his two years in Congress. He may get re-elected, but there is no way he’s moving up.
Comment by Skeeter Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 10:03 am
‘06 was a message election.
Throughout the US, across the board, each Democratic candidate got 5% more vote than he would have in an otherwise normal election.
That means, a 10 point spread.
Assuming a structural advantage of incumbency equallin 2%, that means every Democrat who did not win by 6% will probably lose in 2008.
The Republicans who barely made it, will have much wider margins in 2008.
Comment by True Observer Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 10:21 am
Kirk is too “moderate”* for the Illinois Review-type conservatives (hard-line righties).
He’s too conservative** for the Democratic majority he represents.
In a statewide race, all this would come out and the common sense, mainstream voters in Illinois would go just as sour on him as they did on Pankau, Rutherford and Radogno. I think he knows it too, given how hard he finally busted his butt to get reelected (the last two elections he hasn’t had to do anything other than give out some tiny yard signs here and there — til this year he had the smallest yard signs I’ve ever seen for a Congressional candidate).
* - There are two reasons folks think he’s moderate. (1) His few truly moderate positions — such as backing embryonic stem cell research and the occasional pro-environment vote — do temper his conservative streak in important areas. (2) The main reason folks think he’s moderate is because he’s got a hella PR team which promotes everything remotely moderate that he does, while sweeping his conservative streak under the rug.
** - There’s only one reason (one number) folks who do more than just read the paper think Kirk is conservative: his 90+% pro-Bush voting record. The man is far more conservative than any news outlet in the area lets on, but that’s what we get when our papers are full of press release-regurgitators instead of journalists. (No offense to those who may consider themselves journalists.)
Comment by NW burbs Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 10:25 am
Roskam won a plus 10 Republican district by 2 and, along with the RCCC, had to heavily outspend his opponent to do it. I would hardly say that’s a prescription for the rest of the GOP.
If there’s a dearth of GOP talent, how about recruiting disaffected Democratic pols to switch parties and mount reform-minded campaigns against the endemic corruption in city, county and state government?
Comment by Two party believer Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 10:30 am
Angry Vandalia Frank will get even angrier now that he has no power. Maybe this will convince him to call it quits and let those of us in this district have a senator that can do a radio interview without yelling about the governor and how bad Chicago is for the state.
Comment by Southern Ilinois Democrat Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 10:53 am
Pointing at Roskam’s victory as an example of how Republicans should win seems odd.
“If we could just force the Democrats to all run in DuPage County then we could beat them!”
Why would a Congressman run for Secretary of State? The patronage? Being in Congress is a pretty sweet gig. Lots of people kiss your butt.
Kirk run against Durbin? How much is the national GOP going to invest in Illinois in 2008? The presidential candidate won’t contest the state. How much statewide infrastructure do the Illinois Republicans have?
I liked and respected Kirk’s predecessor, John Porter. Kirk, not so much.
Kirk’s best shot to move up is governor in 2010 or waiting ten or so years until the pendelum swings back to the GOP.
I will speak up for Jack Ryan. While he handled his divorce record issue poorly, he was a helluva candidate one-on-one. Very smooth. Ryan is far more likable in person than Kirk is.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 10:59 am
Kirk has no interest in running for Governor - he wants to stay in DC and has said that numerous times to aides and friends.
Comment by Anon Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 11:08 am
On average there are about 34 Senate seats up for election every two years. A few of these will be retirements.
What percentage of incumbents get re-elected in the U.S. Senate? Some incumbents always lose and usually at least one of each party.
Is Durbin going to be the Democrat who loses in 2008? I doubt it, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility.
But it’s not like hanging around in the Tenth will be easy either.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 11:22 am
I would think Mark Kirk would have more interest in either running for the U.S. Senate one day or continuing to build seniority in the House than to make a run for Governor, especially with his tremendous foreign policy/defense experience and expertise.
Regarding the Democrat State Senate pickups in the Cook County suburbs, it only makes Republican Matt Murphy’s six point victory all the more impressive in a tough district.
Emil Jones, Barack Obama, and a some sore loser Republicans, who all put a lot on the line on behalf of the Democrat, came up short, and Matt Murphy is going to be a rising star in Springfield.
Comment by Establishment Republican Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 11:41 am
Cross is NOT going to DC at least via the 14th district!! Look for Obie, Rauschy, Lauzen, Tim Schmitz and Linda Chapa La Via to run in a special election when Denny goes to Japan.
The future of the GOP is Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaron Schock. Gosh, can it get any lower??? Is he old enough to know who Jim Thompson is?
Comment by kanecountyguy Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 11:42 am
Maybe it’s good that he doesn’t know who Jim Thompson is. Maybe when Big Jim comes a-calling, he could say no way.
Don’t forget Christine Radogno. Many more Illinoisians now know who she is. She is still impressive despite her loss to Obama-hyped, mom-funded gubernatorial wannabee Alexi.
I’d love to see Jack Ryan back. He is smart, rich, modern, youngish. But I don’t know if he could get past that silly flapdoodle from his Senate rum.
Comment by Cassandra Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 12:01 pm
What a flapdoodle that was! No list is complete without Ronnie “Woo Woo” Wikkers.
Comment by Charles Martel Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 12:05 pm
Too bad the Ds did not put more cash into Seals, he could have won — the votes are there.
I am shocked no one mentions the Brickhead for higher office..he has done sooooo much for the party so far.
Comment by Reddbyrd Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 12:08 pm
What about the McCauliff, Doherty, Silvestri ect boys from the far Northwest side. The problem with the Repubs is that they have abandoned the City and many other places where they need to fight for votes. They don’t run anyone for Mayor, Treasurer, Clerk, Alderman, tons of city/suburban and state legislative offices. ect. If they took just the money they spent to get Roskan elected and poured it into funding candidates in all races and attempted to build grass roots organizations they would start to have success.
I know people will say this is a waste and Cook County is going Democratic but that is because the Repubs have abandoned it. Look at the totals in the 41st ward of Chicago for the Repubs. The Northwest side boys have it figured out. It really is not that tough. Get to know the people and do your best to help them and they will try to help you back. All politics is local.
Comment by Garp Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 12:19 pm
Roskam will be fine…he beat the best candidate Democrats could throw at him in a Democratic tidal wave, biggest win of the season, bar none.
Radogno has a bright future, JACK! Ryan is done, so is Carol.
Comment by Curt Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 12:41 pm
“electric blanket in Baghdad”… great!
Comment by Inside Dope Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 12:43 pm
I hope Kirk runs statewide so we can be rid of him here in the 10th. He doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning statewide or by taking on Durbin so that would work out just fine.
Comment by Way Northsider Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 12:47 pm
If Roskam’s so great, let him run for Gov in 2010.
Taking political advice from Andy McKenna is like taking baseball advice from the Tribune Corporation.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 12:48 pm
I’ll second that notion for the McAuliffe,Doherty, Silvestri. Time and time again the Democrats throw everything they have at them, yet they tenaciously pull out the wins in heavily Democratic areas. The Il-GOP leadership might learn something from them on how to win again.
Comment by Elmer "Mr GOP" Hoffman Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 12:56 pm
[Kirk’s] tremendous foreign policy/defense experience and expertise….–Establishment Republican
What foreign policy or defense issue has Kirk gotten right since getting elected?
Invading Iraq?
Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 12:58 pm
So if Hastert resigns in January or February and Tom Cross gets the appointment until ‘08, who are the candidates for minority leader: Coulson? Lindner? Schmitz? Beaubien? Brady?
Comment by Ilrino Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 12:59 pm
Da Coach in 2010, the Silver Anniversary.
Comment by moderate Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 1:34 pm
Wow, clearly some people are having a hard time with the Roskam victory…best advice…accept it and move on, it’ll make the pain go away for you.
In reading Krol’s column, he should have made mention that Dan Curry worked on the last two losing gubernatorial campaigns…so I’m not sure his opinion on what ails the Party is important in this discussion.
Ilrino…if the Speaker resigns, there is no appointment, there has to be a special election within 90 days I believe.
Comment by Tim Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 1:49 pm
Oh, and if the ILGOP wants to change…not taking the advice of the Democrats here would be a good first step…but I do love that fact that they pretend to care about what happens to the Party.
Comment by Tim Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 1:51 pm
I thinks they should elect Jerri Ryan. She make me have happy thought, more so than Jack. High Five.
Comment by Borat Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 2:10 pm
I like a lot of the suggestions other than trying to bring Jack Ryan back. What about Kirk Dillard? In 4 years, I would like to see a strong ticket going into the statewide races. If that means we run Schock as SOS or something like that, that is fine. I know he is young and I know he wouldn’t have a house seat if he lost, but it might reap big rewards. Also, I wouldn’t mind seeing Rauschy back to run for treasurer. Man… I really don’t know. There is so many in the middle people and nobody that stands out above the rest….
Comment by Lovie's Leather Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 2:35 pm
The future of the ILGOP?
Christine Radogno
Mark Kirk
Ray LaHood
Aaron Schock
John Shimkus
David Reis
Dan Rutherford
Jack Ryan
Peter Roskam
I don’t care what people say about Roskam and Kirk; they are good politicians who can win statewide. Remember: Dems rode a tidal wave this year, which means an anti-Dem tidal wave can roll through in 2008 or 2010. If Rod continues to screw up for four more years and if Durbin or - GASP! - Obama don’t make the most of their newfound majority status, serious GOP challengers can certainly make it a good run.
Moderates like Radogno, Kirk, LaHood, etc. are needed to rebuild the party.
We need more young (or at least younger) people like Aaron Schock. The is smart, well-spoken and politically adept.
Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 2:43 pm
The question remains: who leads House Republicans if Cross goes to Congress?
Comment by Ilrino Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 2:51 pm
Note to Ilrino: Should Dennis Hastert resign his House seat, neither Tom Cross nor anyone else will be appointed to it. Unlike the US Senate, where vacancies are filled by a state’s governor until an election can be held, House seats remain vacant until a special election is held.
Comment by fedup dem Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 3:18 pm
Cross is NOT going anywhere! ILrino unless you know Tom personally –AND– have spoken to him recently, why would keep throwing him in the mix. Tom is staying in IL. Lauzen wants Denny’s seat and there MUST be a special election 90 days after the Governor “declares: the seat vacant and sets the date for the special election which would happen without a primary. This way Rep. Chapa La Via will be insured to finish in the top 2, if not get 50% of the vote an win. The R’s will spilt the vote and the second highest vote getter will face Chapa La Via.
You must get 50% to win or there will be ANOTHER election 30 days after the special election.
Cross is not interested PERIOD
Comment by kanecountyguy Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 3:24 pm
Elmer and Garp, you must be smoking something in those Repub meetings to think the NW side boys, Doherty, McAuliffe, and Silvestri, have survived despite having everything thrown at them by the dems. the fact is, the NWside Dem/repub truce of old still exists and the Cullerton wing leaves the repubs alone for the most part. someday the NW side new residents who have moved in from Lincoln Park will wake up and realize how lame the triumverate is and change will happen. Oh, wait, it’s not smoking something in the NW side meetings, it’s lots of liquid refreshment…..
Comment by Bench Coach Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 3:29 pm
How about either one of Jim Edgar’s kids? He has a son and a daughter. Are they interested? Where are they now? Yes, I know this is shamelessly stealing a page from the Dems’ playbook (after all, where would Hynes and Lisa Madigan be today if their daddy wasn’t somebody?!) But hey, it WORKS.
Yes, Radogno is a keeper. She had a respectable showing and I consider her loss a fluke. She should be on the ticket again.
Comment by Fearless Freep Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 4:46 pm
Governor-Bill Brady (a conservative that doesn’t come across as a Fire & Brimstone preacher) Lt. Governor -Steve Rauschenberger (smart & conservative)
Attorney General- Joe Birkett or Stewart Umholtz
Treasurer- Chris Lauzen
Comptroller-Radogno
Secretary of State- George Ryan (just wanted to see if you were paying attention)
Comment by Beowulf Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 5:59 pm
Ray Wardingly - now more than ever.
Comment by Fearless Freep Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 6:14 pm
We need some new folks - forget Rauschenberger, forget Birkett, Topinka, and even Radogno.
I would pick the following people out there who we can build around at this time.
Mark Kirk (Congressman)
Matt Murphy (State Senator)
Debra Olson and have you guys met that young Filipino guy from the White House - Rudy Pamintuan?
Comment by NEWGOP Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 7:09 pm
Tim Johnson down in Central Illinois may be good. But we need some winners and folks that the money folks will back.
Comment by NEWGOP Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 7:10 pm
I don’t know about Roskam - I like Kirk and I think that he would be great for the party. I used to think that Schillerstrom and some of the folks out there may be good folks but thus far they have not proven anything to me. How about Judy Biggert?
For sure - McSweeney is not a good one.
Comment by JZJL23 Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 7:12 pm
Garp, I like your reasoning. Cook County is the place for revival. I have been saying it for years. The fine people who reside in this great county have been over taxed and under served for forty years, Get Tony P. to head up the gop organization and start from scracth. Give the voters a choice.
Comment by anon Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 7:47 pm
Again and Again the so called insiders and pundits continue to roll old timers names out and people who have losr before as leaders of the republicans and the only thing you’ll see is lisses,unless the democratic party self-implodes.
Let’s follow the national republicans and get a Cuban to teach Illinois republicans how to win.The National Party just chose Senator Mel Martinez as the national president of the RNC. What’s it going to take to convince you guys in Illinois that you needs Cubans running things?
Also promote Skip Saviano for leadership, and tell tom cross and watson, that there best was’nt good enough! Also promote Dan Cronin,Bob Biggins,Bob Schillerstrom and Tony Peraica!
I think that the republicans should study and learn from tony peraica’s playbook on how to run a campaign.I totally believe that Skip Saviano should be in Charge of the party or Tom Cronin of River Forest,other contenders should be the CEO of McDonald’s Mr. Alvarez a Cuban American, or better yet, find yourselves a beatiful,good looking High Price female attorney,of Cuban or Italian decent to run the party.It’s time to bring “sexy back” to the Republicans!
Comment by Put a Cuban to Head the Illinois republicans Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 9:12 pm
Jack Ryan would make an excellent choice for Treasurer. He would of tattered Alexi.
Patrick Daley would make a great governor (not the Mayor’s son)
Comment by Richard T Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 9:52 pm
BRING BACK JACK!
Comment by HRH Weezer Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 10:35 pm
Bob Michel for Governor!!!
(I am just kidding… the man is too old… but if he ran, I would vote for him….) He will be 87 in 2010!
Comment by Lovie's Leather Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 11:20 pm
Illinois requirs primaries for special elections.
If Denny resigns, each party, including Green, will have a candidate.
People shouldn’t hold their breath for
Denny to resign.
Reason -
There is a Republican President. Denny as the Senior Republican in the Delegation gets to make/approve all federal appointments.
Denny is part of the combine. He will stay on to protect it.
If Denny left, it would fall to Manzullo. And he aint no part of the combine.
Comment by True Observer Monday, Nov 13, 06 @ 11:22 pm
Re: “Yes, Radogno is a keeper. She had a respectable showing and I consider her loss a fluke. She should be on the ticket again.”
She did very well considering the voters were thinking national (Iraq war issue) more than anything else.
But realistically, everyone needs to support the better Dems in this state to unseat the creeps, because right now, there is NO opposition party at all.
Radogno did very well, though, all things considered.
Comment by Angie Tuesday, Nov 14, 06 @ 1:06 am
It looks like mostly Democrats who want to bring back Jack Ryan.
Comment by T.J. Tuesday, Nov 14, 06 @ 5:39 am
None of the above have any chance of beating anybody. What are they going to run on, their records as an ineffective opposition? Who is going to give them money? Joe Birkett — what, third time is the charm?
The Republican’s strongest critique of Lisa 4 years ago and Alexi this year was lack of experience. Well, there goes that one. Now the GOP will have to run legislative backbenchers against experienced executives (both of whom have won convincing statewide victories).
If the GOP is serious about ever winning, they have to get someone strong at the top of the ticket (and Ray LaHood the Hastert apologist is not it). Take a page out of their playbook of the past and recruit the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. . .
Comment by Batter Up Tuesday, Nov 14, 06 @ 10:23 pm