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Former Illinois State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka says she won’t rule out a second run for governor. Topinka lost the 2006 election to incumbent Governor Rod Blagojevich. In Chicago yesterday, Topinka joked about alternatives to campaigning.

TOPINKA: The world is a great and wonderful place. I might run off with a very handsome, rich widower or something like that. Who knows? We’ll see how it goes. I would hope the public realizes that they did have a choice in that last election.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:01 am

Comments

Too funny for words, in so many ways.

Comment by GoBearsss Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:03 am
What is she thinking?

Comment by Balance Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:12 am
Oh please no. I don’t believe she WANTED to be governor in 2006. So why would she want it now? No, she had her chance. It’s time for a CONSERVATIVE Republican to be nominated.

Comment by Crimefighter Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:15 am
I totally agree with Balance…
What IS she thinking????
Republicans need a candidate without a closet full of old baggage that even Goodwill will not accept.

Comment by curious george Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:23 am
If Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Richard Mellon Scaife can back HRC’s divisive campaign in order to damage the Democrats, let me propose: “Illinois Democrats for Judy!”

JBT for the GOP!
JBT for the GOP!
JBT for the GOP!

– SCAM
so-called “Austin Mayor”
http://austinmayor.blogspot.com

Comment by so-called "Austin Mayor" Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:24 am
Surely, the Republicans will be able to find a rich widower willing to whisk Judy away until after the Fall ‘09 filing period has passed. I’ll bet calls are being made as we type.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:30 am
SCAM-

Your desire to damage the IL Republicans is either a sadistic beating of the old man in the park, or a mercy killing.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:32 am
She is tied to Cellini….other than that & considering nobody else worth while runs…..I think she should.

Voters may feel….we should have voted her in last time!

Comment by anon Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:34 am
considering how terrible the republican candidates are (see sauerberg-sued numerous times by patients, greenburg-a whopping $5k on hand, balderman-quit, the dairy man-serioulsy…do we even need to comment, etc) recycling jbt isnt all bad. sure she lost, but until she had the $20M in negative advertising spent on her, a huge number of people thought she was great.

Comment by downstate GOP faithless Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:40 am
Judy is the best the ILGOP has to offer. They should feel lucky to have her.

Comment by Bill Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:43 am
Illinois Republicans have made themselves a largely impotent group of whiners. If the millionaires in the ‘06 race had thrown the full weight of their support into the Topinka campaign when she won the primary, maybe she would have represented a “choice” for voters, especially in Metro East, the Quad Cities area, and far southern Illinois. Democrats may be leading this state into chaos, but they don’t lose sleep over who is “conservative,” or “moderate,” they are Dems first.

Comment by anon Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:45 am
If Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Richard Mellon Scaife can back HRC’s divisive campaign

Oh? Did we forget Kos urging Ds to vote for Mitt? “Why? Because it’s fun. Because we can”. We reap what we sow…

Democrats may be leading this state into chaos, but they don’t lose sleep over who is “conservative,” or “moderate,” they are Dems first.

Because they are all agree on policy, they are mostly the same. Only who gets to hand out the jobs is the point of contention.

JBT running

You know, in 96 Dole thought he had a chance since many people regretted not voting for Bush in 92. That logic works as well for JBT now as it did for Dole, then. Just not liking Rod doesn’t make her an appealing alternative.

Comment by Pat Collins Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:50 am
She can use Rod’s old campaign slogan and toss it back on the voters: Show some clips of Rod (at a Hockey game, jogging, avoiding reporter’s questions, etc.) with the tag line “What were you thinking?”

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:54 am
Most likely the GOP will run someone with the last name of RYAN. WHAT A FIASCO

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:57 am
==== I would hope the public realizes that they did have a choice in that last election.=====

I think she forgot that a lot of voters opted for the Green candidate. That was how bad the choices were.

Comment by Been There Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 10:57 am
No no no, renominating “Dances with Ryan” would be an incredibly foolish mistake. If the IL GOP party leadership think she’s the best chance for the governor they all need to be run out on a rail.

Comment by Crimefighter Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 11:00 am
This will not happen, nor should it.

Comment by Truth Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 11:01 am
I don’t know what to say about this. People chose the habitual liar over a colorful character. I’m not sure why except that the habitual liar has some flash and the colorful character has other things against her.

Comment by Levois Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 11:04 am
I can’t believe the media is dumb enough to interview the AccordianGal….This is a great example how “news decision” are a big reason there are fewer readers, listeners and viewers.

Needless to say the 2 biggest reasons Blagoof won were jRYAN and AccordianGal.

Comment by Wild Bill Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 11:10 am
Bill has it right

JudyBT is the best thing the Illinois Republicans have to support the Democratic Party.

Until JBT, Cellini, and the rest of the robber barons of the once great Republican Party leave, Illinois is sentenced to be the three ring madhouse we are today.

Comment by Plutocrat03 Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 11:16 am
Nah - Gidwitz/Topinka 2010

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 11:20 am
How about someone who is outside politics, outside the chicago machine and urban areas, a 35 year veteran of state employment, a conservative republican who knows the street values of working men and women…??? And is only 59 years old…still young by political standards…

Comment by Siyotanka Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 11:26 am
Oh puleeeeze, I’m so tired of hearing “What was she thinking” that I could puke.

If JBT has any inkling of running again, I would strongly suggest she start very aggressively raising big bucks right now. She started way too late in the money department last time. Would more money have saved her? I don’t know. But I sure would have enjoyed that race.

Comment by Little Egypt Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 11:39 am
I suspect if Judy finds a rich widower, the GOP will run HIM for governor. I suggest Uncle Bill from “Family Affair.” Everybody liked him.

Seriously though, you can’t beat somebody with nobody. If she runs in the GOP primary, who will beat her? Not like the state GOP has a deep farm team.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 11:39 am
Plutocrat-

You are truly an optimist if you think that the removal of JBT and Cellini from public life will have much, if any, effect on the continuation of what you call the “three ring madhouse”.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 11:49 am
I just signed a nominating petition for some guy wanting to run for governor of Illinois. His name was Ryan Topinka. I think he is running as a democrat.

Comment by Dirt Guy Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 11:51 am
What about Larry Bomke? Does anyone think if he had statewide name recognition that he would be a good candidate for governor?

Comment by Just My Opinion Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 11:57 am
Maybe Oberweis will sweep her off her feet and they can open ice cream stores in Key West.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 12:04 pm
Oh say it ain’t so, I don’t want to have to vote for the Green party again.

Comment by The Conservative Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 12:10 pm
She’s the GOP’s best shot, since Edgar always hints, entices, hems, haws … then backs out at the last minute. Find me someone in state government without at least some kind of tenuous tie to Cellini.

Comment by Snidely Whiplash Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 12:38 pm
Whiplash, no way. No way. Dream ticket Bill Brady/Rod Gidwitz in 2010.

Comment by Crimefighter Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 12:43 pm
QUOTING DR. PHIL (though it pains me to do it):

“This is wrong on so many levels.”

Comment by Skeptic Cal Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 12:50 pm
Cross/Gidwitz ‘10

Comment by gerald b Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 12:57 pm
Brady/Gidwitz makes jRYan and AccordianGal look pretty good…Hasn’t ChopperJim remarried — again? But that might not stop him

Comment by Wild Bill Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 1:00 pm
I hope that Topinka does run, and wins the Republican nomination.

Comment by Squideshi Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 1:04 pm
I think someone should start up the “Oracle of Cellini(tm)” (akin to “The Oracle of Bacon”, http://oracleofbacon.org/star_links.html) and start typing in names of people until you find one with a Cellini number greater than 3. It may not result in a good candidate, but it would a lot of fun!

Comment by What planet is he from again? Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 1:07 pm
Seeing as Alexi has done a much better job, I don’t think she is qualified.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 1:22 pm
Brady/Gidwitz would be a team to push conservatism that we haven’t had in years. And sorry, they’re miles better than Jim Ryan, Dances with Ryan, and any other Republican impersonator.

Comment by Crimefighter Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 1:24 pm
Jack Roeser is circulating petitions.

Comment by Dingleberry Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 1:38 pm
Six

You are right, I am an optimist. I believe that someday being Governor of the State of Illinois will not be a precursor to a stint in Federal Prison, that the citizens of Illinois will somehow get some honest governance.

JBT et al have shown that the status quo is more important to them than anything else. She should hide her face in shame forever for foisting Alan Keys as a Senatorial candidate on the citizens of Illinois.

Like an alcoholic or drug user, recovery does not begin until they recognize the problem and hit rock bottom. Seems like the Illinois Republicans have some more free fall to look forward to.

Comment by Plutocrat03 Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 1:50 pm
There’s probably a 1-in-a-million chance that JBT would ever run again because the boyz from the Combine aren’t going to be in a position to help her.

I’m sure Gidwitz is considering it because he’s running radio ads right now editorializing on what’s happening in the state (heard one on WBBM the other day–not bad). Brady has some sizable debt from the last campaign, and Cross would have some ’splaining to do about his votes as a leader (fact of life for legislative leaders).

Since the State GOP can’t rub two nickels together, it better be someone who can either self-finance or raise a ton of cash.

Then again…who will he or she be running against from the Dems? Hynes?

Comment by Anon Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 2:02 pm
Hynes/Halvorson

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 2:30 pm
Please tell me the Republicans and the Democrats can not do better.
I do not want to vote Green again.

Comment by blagoman Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 2:43 pm
Name a potential GOP gubernatorial contender with state-wide appeal whose first name is not Jim. JBT has name recognition and believe me, she was not a fan of Ambassador Keyes.

Who would be viable instead of JBT is the bigger question for the GOP.

Comment by Levi Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 3:01 pm
Jack!

Comment by Boone Logan Square Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 3:06 pm
I just don’t think Judy can run again. She appeared to me to be a somewhat reluctant candidate last time around, and it’s very tough to win in Illinois after you lose the big one.

In terms of “viable,” it’s going to have to be someone who can finesse moderate views with the conservatives (not impossible to do) and have lots of dough available. Don’t count out ANY of those who have been mentioned here today. Strange dynamics are at play here.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 3:35 pm
And that’s the problem, they nominated JBT SOLELY cause of name recognition, not because she was the best candidate. The party leadership was running around saying “oh we can’t nominate one of those conservatives, they can’t win, we gotta push someone like the Democrats!”

Comment by Crimefighter Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 3:36 pm
Sure. Choices. We had a choice between a Democrat with ties to Cellini who would continue the patronage and pay-to-play system or a Republican with ties to Cellini that would continue the patronage and pay-to-play system. I voted Rich Whitney.

Comment by Sango Dem Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 3:43 pm
Cross/Gidwitz/Brady —- even funnier

Comment by Wild Bill Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 3:58 pm
Mark Kirk

Comment by anon Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 4:32 pm
Why, on God’s green earth, would anyone want to take on the crumbling infrastructure of the Governor’s Office? It would take 4-6 years just to undo the mess, clean up the pig pen, put the kids’ toys away, and get the Crayola stains off the fabric covered “walls” at the JRTC. The cost alone to remove the mold and mildew at the Governor’s Mansion alone should make even the best candidate pause for reflection.

I like Judy, but it’s time for fresh leadership. It’s time for a statewide election without a Topinka, Gidwitz or Oberweis. It’s time for a GOP slate of men and women who can restore dignity to an office that has been nearly irreparably damaged. Bill Brady and Dan Rutherford would be an incredible duo — both very smart, very capable, good business acumen, and above all else — ethical and trustworthy.

Let’s not encourage a repeat ticket from 2004. The entire state - democrats and republicans alike — have paid an amazing price because of a weak GOP ticket. This upcoming election will impact future generations more than anyone could possibly imagine. The GOP must, unequivocably, get it right.

Comment by SuperDave Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 4:47 pm
The only viable names I’ve seen here for Governor in 2010 so far are Brady and Hynes. Brady needs to raise money to pay off debt. If he does, he’s got as good a chance as anyone, because whoever the Dem is is going to have to deal with an ugly Dem track record and probably a bloody primary. Hopefully Republicans will figure it out this time before this cycle turns into just another GOP Circular Firing Squad.

Somebody remind Gidwitz that when you spend $10 million in a primary against Topinka, Oberweis, and Brady and still come in 4th with 90% of the voters going with one of the others, it’s probably not the best fit for you. And if it’s money that matters how is it Oberweis can’t even win a congressional election?

Republicans need to figure it out, or they’re going to remain the children on the playground while the Democrats are inside running the state - however poorly that may be.

No way Topinka goes through that again. She can’t win the base, and she’s too closely tied with George Ryan and Cellini to run in this environment of anti-insider voter sentiment.

Mark Kirk? I hope he’s worrying about his congressional seat right now!

Comment by Amuzing Myself Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 5:12 pm
IL Republicans need to build a big tent around the central themes of ethical governance and fiscal responsibility, deemphasizing their differences on other issues for the moment. If they cannot get their house in order then it’s time for the Greens to step up. Our one-party, “Who’s the Alpha Dog Democrat?” game is leading us to fiscal ruin.

Comment by Independent Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 5:16 pm
It seems Gidwitz has been helping fund different Grassroots groups in the state and he is not far from the base on platform issues.

He has done what someone who wants to run again does, keep his face in front of the grassroots and put his voice out there when the leadership (Cross and Watson) were silent. I hear he has been doing outreach to the base and to groups who he has disagreements with, and getting a good reception. He just might be the candidate

Comment by platform GOP Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 5:23 pm
To all those gleefully waiting for the “combine” to disappear from IL politics, let me just point out that the way we elect people now requires them to raise more $$ than any of us (all of us?) will earn in a lifetime.

How exactly do you think candidates raise enormous amounts of money. With the exception of the super-rich, they go to the “combine” - which isn’t a person, btw, and won’t disappear when Rezko is convicted.

Comment by Mr. Wizard Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 5:37 pm
In the name of God and all things Holy, haven’t Illinois Republicans suffered enough?

As fun as it would be to see JBT lose miserably again, a whole herd of pigs would have to fly first, in a frozen-over hell.

Comment by GOP'er Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 5:40 pm
Topinka and Gidwitz shouldn’t run for governor because they would lose again. Too many Illinois Republicans lost statewide elections and ran in other statewide elections, thinking that the first campaigns will help them win the later races. However, they usually lose the second race. Al Salvi ran statewide in 1996 and ‘98 and lost both. Jim Oberweis ran statewide in 2002, ‘04, and ‘06, and lost all three. Steve Rauschenberger ran statewide in 2002 and ‘04 and lost both. Joe Birkett ran statewide in 2002 and ‘06 and lost both.

Comment by PhilCollins Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 5:50 pm
Here’s a thought. How about limiting the amount to be spent on a campaign to 100K period. Using that amount to run an effective campaign will surely illustrate the winner’s person’s fiscal responsibility and creativity. And how about getting rid of parties and put all runners on the ticket. Neither party is much to write home about, either in Illinois or nationally. All cut out of the same cloth.

Comment by Disgusted Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 5:59 pm
I guess from the above that we Republicans should just roll over and let the dems have this next one. We could save some money and by the time the next one rolls around the few surviving Illinoisians will be begging us to rescue Ill. from the ashes. Of course the state by then would have declared bankruptcy and sold off all its assets and be trying to get by on Cubs ballgame receipts.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 6:48 pm
Tsk, tsk, tsk. There IS a winning ticket out there that I’m pretty certain could be worked out and would certainly play well (truly, one couldn’t ask for a better dream team…baggage and all). BUT as always, it’s not the candidates who do NOT want to win…it seems to be the GOP voters themselves–busy at shooting their own again.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 6:51 pm
JBT? I don’t think there’s any place for her.
Look to Gov Rutherford in 2010.

Comment by Contrarian Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 8:11 pm
Maybe George Ryan will get out on an early release. He could beat guv hands down! Now, who would make a good running mate?

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 8:28 pm
A, if you’re going to run Uncle George, seems like Uncle Bill would be the most logical running mate, provided he’s available. The campaign slogans for that ticket are just mind-boggling.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 8:38 pm
AA
Maybe George’s parole officer could be his running mate - they could run on a we’ll keep’m honest platform.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, May 6, 08 @ 8:40 pm
Well, on the evidence of the last year, the conservative wing of the Illinois Republican Party proves to be an even bigger vacuum than the moderate one. So Judy’s just following the laws of physics and trying to fill that vacuum. Whether she’s filling it with a serious candidacy or a lot of hot air, we will find out in due course, but at least it stands out there for now as sort of a dare to the rest of the Illinois Republican Party to actually do something.

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Wednesday, May 7, 08 @ 12:38 am
Yes, we the Illinois voters did have a choice, Judy: a poor choice followed by another poorer choice.

Comment by Charlie Wednesday, May 7, 08 @ 7:49 am
The Illinois GOP leadership (all original thinkers) has decided to recycle George Ryan as a brand new package with a pretty blue bow when he gets out of federeal prison. George found God while in prison thanks to the Reverend Jeremiah Wright. The Illinois GOP leadership is also going to call on Paul Vallas to try to convince him to switch his Party affiliation so he can run on the GOP ticket.

Comment by Wilson Pickett Wednesday, May 7, 08 @ 7:58 am
Vallas? Lol
Maybe Arne Duncan is available. Nothing like a couple of true blue republicans to come to the aid of their party.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, May 7, 08 @ 8:08 am
The best choice in 2006 was St. Sen. Brady, but I hope that he won’t run in 2010. He’s probably lose again.

Comment by PhilCollins Wednesday, May 7, 08 @ 8:40 am