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Old bulls attempt GOP diagnosis, names floated for guv

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* This may be a bit of a misdiagnosis…

A lion of the Illinois Republican Party called the state GOP organization “weak” in a blunt assessment of how much Republicans still must do to rebuild from the ruin left by George Ryan’s corrupt tenure as governor. […]

“That’s why we don’t have a constitutional office in Illinois, we don’t have a senator in Illinois, because our organization has been weak,” said [ormer U.S. House Minority Leader Bob Michel] […]

“All the polling ahead of time doesn’t mean two hoots unless you have the ground forces to get the vote on Election Day, and we just haven’t had that the last several years,” Michel said.

* And there was some disagreement…

“I think he’s talking about the past. He certainly can’t be talking about today,” said Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson (R-Greenville). “We’ve had our problems. There’s no doubt about the fact we have. But we are rebuilding, and I think that’s what he was talking about.”

* Retiring congresscritter Ray LaHood, who took Michel’s House seat, mentioned the obvious…

U.S. Rep. Ray Lahood, speaking after Michel, said the party must broaden its base.

“You can’t win in these congressional districts and you can’t win in Illinois with just Republicans,” Lahood said, adding that the party can win back statewide offices only by recruiting candidates capable of reaching out to Democrats and independents.

“This is not to give up on principle and not to give up on philosophy,” said Lahood, of Peoria, “but to recruit candidates who can say, ‘This is what we believe in, and we know there are discerning Democrats and independents who believe the same thing that we do.’ “

* Cross and Watson also chimed in…

“Anybody who has spent any time focusing in what has been going on in Illinois in the last six years can’t make a single case for explaining to me why anybody in this state would vote for a Democrat in Illinois politics,”Cross said.

Republicans must give residents reasons to vote for them that go beyond dissatisfaction with Illinois Democrats. He cited this party’s “agenda for change,” which includes creating jobs, shoring up ethics law and making college more affordable. He said party leaders have not written off the November elections even though Chicagoan Barack Obama tops the Democratic ticket.

Citing Chicago school reform and welfare reform, Watson urged delegates to tell voters that Republicans made progress on issues when they controlled both legislative chambers and the governor’s office in the mid-1990s.

* Leader Watson also tried a group hug….

State Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, of Greenville, took the makeshift stage at the final morning breakfast for the Illinois delegation and hugged state Rep. Jim Durkin of Westchester, his co-chair for U.S. Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign in Illinois.

“You know what the difference is? We mean it. We mean it,” Watson, who sounded possibly a bit overcaffinated, shouted to the audience. Then, inspired by the moment, he challenged the crowd.

“Why doesn’t everybody just get up and hug their neighbor, huh? Let’s talk about togetherness. Let’s get together. Grab your neighbor and hug. There’s nothing wrong with that. Let’s have some excitement around here,” Watson chanted to the audience.

“Let’s show the Democrats they’re not the only ones that can do the hugging. Republicans love each other. We can be all about togetherness. We can move ahead. We’re going to take this nation back. Let’s get together,” he said.

After members of the audience stood to hug their neighbors, Watson laughed and said, “I’m glad to see that actually worked. … “I’m shocked. I didn’t think it would actually work.”

* Meanwhile, back in Chicago, Mayor Daley scoffed at former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s claims about the Chicago machine…

“I don’t know where we get this, this idea that there’s a big Democratic machine going on. Chicago and the metropolitan area is very Democratic and the state is. There’s no, this machine. I thought it was laughable.”

Huh?

* National conventions are usually an occasion to float one’s name for higher office. Illinois Chamber president Doug Whitley is the latest to say he is mulling a bid for governor…

On Thursday [Whitley] informed the Springfield-based business group’s board that he is forming an exploratory committee to run as a Republican for governor in the 2010 election, and the chamber issued a statement saying it is “supportive” of the move.

“It’s safe to say I’ve definitely been considering it and giving it a lot of thought,” said Mr. Whitley, 58. “Republicans need to find fresh blood and fresh faces.”

* But not everybody was pleased with the news…

“They have no idea what they’re getting into,” said U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria, who is not running for re-election this year. “They should start out running as a precinct committeeman. You can’t start out in the top job.”

* Jim Edgar warns in a Daily Herald story about possible contenders…

“It is one thing to talk about running for governor. It is a whole different thing to do it.”

* Here are a few more quotes from that Daily Herald story about possible statewide candidates…

[House GOP Leader Tom Cross] said running for statewide office is something he “will give serious thought to.” And he added, “It is not something I have at all dismissed.” […]

Former Gov. Jim Thompson commented in Minneapolis, “We will have to wait for Aaron Schock to grow up.” […]

On running for governor or another statewide post, [DuPage County chairman Bob Schillerstrom] says, “That is one of the things I’m going to take look at and give some consideration to.” […]

Asked in Minneapolis if he will run again, Gidwitz said, “I had a great time last time. Who knows?”

* Congressional candidate Aaron Schock was the only Illinois Republican to speak at the RNC this week, and it was just for a couple of minutes. Here it is…

* Related…

* Watson: Illinois Senate ‘Hardly the Training Ground’ for White House

* Daley scoffs at ‘machine’ reference to Obama

* Daley Weighs in on Giuliani, Palin and Oprah

* Schock toots his own horn

* Schock, at GOP convention, tells of being inspired by McCain

* Illinois GOP’s media bait-and-switch

* Republican Legislator Delegates to the Convention

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 9:20 am

Comments

I think the headline of “Old Bulls” crystalizes it.

I was thinking of the Bruce Springsteen song “Glory Days”

From top to bottom (committeemen) there are far, far, far too many people in the Republican ranks that like to sit back and remind themselves of how good it used to be. Too many don’t do the hard work of organizing, putting up signs, doing mailers, etc., etc.

There was a Daily Herald article this morning about who might run for Governor. A few too many faces that we have seen for far too long on that list.

Fresh blood would be a good antidote. I know Aaron Schock has made a lot of mis-steps, but I think we need more people in the leadership of the party that are young and articulate.

Comment by trafficmatt Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 9:30 am
StatewideTom sez:
“Anybody who has spent any time focusing in what has been going on in Illinois in the last six years can’t make a single case for explaining to me why anybody in this state would vote for a Democrat in Illinois politics,”
All he really needs to look in a mirror to see why folks vote D….another Ryan, TugBoat Annie, Brickhead Joe and now Blagoof’s best gamblin’ buddies Vandalia Frank & Statewide Tom.
It is not too hard to sort it out Tom. GOPs (as in MOPEs) still cannot get it together.

BTW when you get home start workin’ on how to explain why any driver in the Lower48 can be for SaraCuda after the state financed the gas tax giveaway with higher taxes on us. Blowhard Bill should love it.

Comment by EmptySuitsonParade Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 9:37 am
=== “Anybody who has spent any time focusing in what has been going on in Illinois in the last six years can’t make a single case for explaining to me why anybody in this state would vote for a Democrat in Illinois politics,”Cross said. ===

And yet Cross has led the Republicans to stand behind the Dem Govenor and support the Gov’s Capital Plan.

GOP in Illinois biggest problem, the big flshaing for sale sign on Cross’s head. Any time the Gov promises them some pork in their districts, from reopening the long shuttered lincoln developmental center to building a new bridge, they jump on board like a starving person at a buffet.

it appears the republicans in Il are for: 1) obtaining large amounts of local spending first, regardless of what they have to give up to get it; and 2) change, unless they can be given the promise of money locally and then change is not so important.

Or perhaps by change they mean coins. IL GOP has an agenda to collect everyones pocket change, and they will even support a Dem gov who routinely breaks his funding promises to them just to pick up a little change.

Comment by Ghost Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 9:37 am
Thank you Ray LaHood! The dems, say what you will about them have a machin….farm system where you usually work your way up and pay your dues. The GOP, people often want to be coronated King. We saw Blair Hull fail because his past indiscretions would have been discovered as he rose up the ranks. The GOP had Jack!, Gidwicz and a few others who had enough money to buy their way into the field, but didn’t have a record to run on or run from. Even Peter Fitzgerald started as a local officeholder before he ran for Senate.

Comment by Wumpus Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 9:51 am
Before the patronage lawsuits, county and precinct party officials had legal patronage opportunities, and this fueled much of the GOP ground force of the Thompson and Edgar years that Michel is referencing. With old-fashioned GOP patronage now a thing of the past, the typical GOP party official no longer has economic perks to pass around, and needs to motivate workers with different incentives. The best single incentive is to recruit very desirable and effective slates of candidates, and this has been difficult on many levels with the unfortunate conservative-moderate conflict. The degree to which accommodation could be made to foster unity behind good slates representing the “big tent” would go a long way to doing this, and perhaps the new group of state GOP leaders can work on this. Presently, regional and ideological differences separate party leadership across the state, and this needs to be addressed. Another device to build the party would be to further build the value of membership in the state GOP organization. For regulatory and image-building reasons, that is the best entity to concentrate such an effort. Time is short folks. The new GOP state leadership has got to recruit the right candidates, sell them to the factions, and take the necessary risks to rebrand the party.

Comment by Chad Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 10:08 am
Daley’s correct - the idea of a “machine” is laughable. Everyone knows it’s the “combine” now.

Comment by BigDog Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 10:09 am
EmptySuit …
“SaraCuda”
Love it!

Comment by Frank Booth Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 10:11 am
Frank Watson and Tom Cross, still whistling past the graveyard. Still living in their little dream worlds even as their next drubbing at the polls is now just 60 days away.

Why would anyone vote for a Dem this year in Illinois? Gee, I don’t know Tom Cross, maybe because YOU are the one in partnership with Blagojevich on gambling expansion and huge pork barrel spending? Maybe because voters rightly see YOU as a big part of the problem, and never part of the solution?

News flash to Cross and Watson, most voters are a lot smarter than you guys and most of your caucus members.

Just because the best Republicans don’t want to take the pay cut by becoming a state rep or senator, don’t think you are anything special.

Lead, follow, or better yet - just get out of the way.

Comment by GOP'er Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 10:11 am
Note to Mr. Watson - if you’re attempting to distinguish your party from the IL Democrats, perhaps NOT mimicking their goofy display of camaraderie is a good start, eh?

Note to Mr. Cross - A truly bizarre statement. Besides insulting the voters, which is probably not the most politically astute idea, you’re tacitly admitting that given the choice, voters will ovewhelmingly opt for the corrupt, snarky, misanthropic Democrats, rather than most anyone in your faction.

Just because you think it doesn’t mean you have to say it, Tom.

Comment by The Doc Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 10:14 am
Governor Ryan didn’t bring down the GOP - the GOP was on it’s last leg by the time he got into office. When will the folks over at there tell the truth?

Last night we heard the GOP presidential candidate tell them during his acceptance speech that they sold out and lost their leadership roles for a good reason. The best part of his speech was how he told off a party that didn’t want him to be their nominee. Now that he is the nominee, McCain took advantage of their desperation and showed us the guy who fought even his own party when he disagreed with it. Palin did the same thing. The GOP ended up with two nominees who don’t like what the GOP became over the past eight years, and have the nerve to tell it straight to their faces. They still got cheered.

That is what was needed in Illinois in 1998. Instead they continued with that Faustian Bargain I wrote about last week. Thompson was a throwback to Nixon-era Republicanism and muddled through the post-industrial economic recession during the 1970s-1980s taking advantage of Illinois’ cache of industrial success. Thompson didn’t reform the GOP. Edgar was a continuation of Thompson’s administration. Ryan was the last of it.

By 1998, instead of nominating the last of the old bulls, the GOP needed new people with diverse backgrounds.

They blew this thing a decade ago.

So don’t blame Ryan as though he was some kind of future leader. He wasn’t. If he was the “hope” or the face of a new reformed Republican GOP, you would have a stronger case to make that his fall damaged the GOP and created what they face today. But Ryan was a stale leftover - naturally he rotted away, just like an old cheese.

What did the GOP think would happen when they strung the party along with old North Shore Republicans? Thompson was pre-Reagan, and the next guys never got any closer.

Illinoians are not disconnected with the rest of the US. What sells nationally can sell here. Take a look around, beyond Chicago’s suburbs and downstate and broaden your view. The national GOP has buried the Bush years this week. Eight years ago, it buried the Reagan years. It is time for the Illinois GOP to bury the Thompson years, the Edgar years, and the Ryan years and find it’s pulse.

The Illinois GOP needs it’s own Maverick. It is broken and it needs reforming.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 10:17 am
Where to start.

When I was a boy, the farmers, bankers, lawyers and storeowners who made up the Main Street GOP were not huggers. I think that’s best left to tree-hugging, PC Democrats, if for no other reason than to give people a choice.

I’m not terribly impressed by Schock as a legislator or thinker, but you can’t argue with winning. Enough people see something, and he seems like a hustler on the trail.

For Cross, I guess people keep voting for Dems because the state GOP gives no rational or coherent alternative. What’s your signature issue? Corruption? No, can’t use that one. Pork-barrel spending? You’re the gov’s biggest supporter. Social issues? Radioactive. Gambling? Again with the guv.

Despite his incoherence, Daley is correct that there is not a machine, not like his old man had. He has a cult of personality, backed by patronage foot soldiers, that works for him but is not necessarily transferable to others.

Doug Whitley’s 58? Now I feel old.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 10:25 am
Well said VanillaMan. Any suggestions as to who fits the bill in the GOP?

Comment by Ted Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 10:31 am
…There’s no, this machine. I thought it was laughable…

Gee wiz, Dick. Quit drinking Rod’s kool-ade. It’s making you babble utter nonsense just like your machinist buddy Blago.

I’m just a small-towner and I get confused by all the sophisticated urban linguistics from those two.

Comment by Eh? Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 10:44 am
North Shore Republicans are not the problem, it’s rather the lack of ideas and ability of leaders within the party to move beyond the 80’s to see the need for good policy rather than political goodies.

I think Kirk sells out a bit too much, but at least he looks for new ideas.

It’s hard to take any of these old leaders heading off into retirement while the party is a mess very seriously. It’s one thing to go out on top leaving a good party, it’s quite another to leave a mess you created behind.

Comment by shore Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 10:56 am
Whitley’s a good possibility. He’s got the fundraising connections and speaks very well. He can also get down-and-dirty and does it in a way that should make Oberweis take notice.

I would also like a LaHood run for governor.

It is my sincere hope that Cross is bounced after November 4th. The HGOPs cannot take another bloodletting like the one that will take place on that day.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 11:12 am
I’m with LaHood, why does some thing they can start at some high office. I’ve never heard of Whitley anyway, what makes him think he can run for governor. Of course unlike LaHood I wouldn’t just encourage the man to run for some lowly precinct committeeman slot.

Comment by Levois Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 11:26 am
I could not disagree more with Ray LaHood. It is not as if Doug Whitley is going to go from bagging groceries to running for governor.

http://www.ilchamber.org/Who_we_are/Staff/whitley_bio.html

I spoke with Ray LaHood about the need for Republicans to rally behind one candidate for governor early on…his response was “we can’t tell people not to run in the primary.”

Personally, as a republican, I will look forward to Ray LaHood going somewhere else.

Comment by Speaking At Will Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 11:42 am
No state legislators!
Most of the GOP legislators we have right now are comfortable with the way things are within the state GOP. It is the nature of legislators to coalesce, not lead. It took McCain to the age of 72 and the GOP to break up over Bush before they grudgingly gave in to him. He is a rarity, not the norm.

So no state legislators.

Newt Gingrich explained that Bob Michel was too comfortable being in the minority, so there wasn’t a drive to take over the reigns. I agree with him. Now, Bob Michel was a great guy, but he didn’t take stands or lead the GOP enough. I suspect that Cross and Watson, Brady and Durkin are all great guys, but they’ve been down too long without shoving back. Heck! A couple of these guys are better friends with Blagojevich than most Democrats! These people will not work - they don’t have the “testicular virility”, or at least, haven’t shown any since 2002.

Look to executives. Businesspeople, especially minorities or women. Look to mayors.

Remember Poshard? When you run a US Congressman, you better expect spending a lot of money to rebuild local connections lost during their time in Washington.

2010 can be a reform year, but only if you run a credible reformer. State legislators, need not apply. They are only seen by voters as a part of the problem, not as a solution. Voters will want a Maverick for Illinois.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 11:48 am
Nice job Aaron Schock - quite an achievement!! Even if it was “just for a couple of minutes”

Comment by Anon Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 12:17 pm
I don’t think Poshard lost because he had lost local connections, he simply never had the connections up north to get a big Chicago turn out and he alienated some of the very voters in the city who might otherwise have voted for him. Heck, I voted for Ryan because Poshard rubbed me the wrong way, and I haven’t voted for many in all my days (Edgar, Ryan, Topinka for treasurer, Jack Murphy for states attorney, that might actually be it!)

Comment by cermak_rd Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 12:19 pm
I think Andy Ramage of Springfield would be a great face for a rebuild of the republican party.

LLCC Board of trustees Vice Chairman

Comment by Ghost Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 12:48 pm
I think Whitley would be a positive choice for the GOP gubernatorial candidate. He is well-spoken, people-friendly, aware of and conversant in both social and economic issues. He has both government and private sector backgrounds, and is, I think, relatively scandal-free.

Comment by Captain Flume Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 1:05 pm
A major switch has happened in North and Northwest Suburban peoples preferences for President due to McCain’s selection of Palin and their subsequent convention speeches. I hope it is only a tempory convention bump, however, McCain’s railing against the present Republicans really worked and people are thinking he shoukd be gi ven a shot.

Mayor Daley is right when he says not to take this bump for granted. I will be working hard for Obama-how about anybody else?

My advice to Obama is

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 1:27 pm
===A major switch has happened in North and Northwest Suburban peoples preferences===

Is there polling data or are you just making this up?

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 1:39 pm
It is a poll I conducted by argueing with people yesterday and today in 2 restaurants and 3 rummage sales.

By the way, they were the ones who were discussing it amoung themselves, I merely chimed in-unappreciated I am sure. I have been involved in politics a long time and can feel a trend. I am sure polls will reflect it shortly and as a matter of fact todays Rasmussen poll has them tied I think.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 1:56 pm
CBS has it tied. Rasmussen and Gallup both have small Obama leads.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 1:58 pm
===The Illinois GOP needs it’s own Maverick. It is broken and it needs reforming.===

VanillaMan for Governor???

Comment by Fan of the Game Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 2:14 pm
I was at the convention and on Monday night it was all over but the crying then the MSM attack started to get noticed and the 17 year old daughter was the focus (all I could hear was the radio in the twin cities area, one was a “Progressive” radio station)and it was vicious.
As far as Illinois goes I think Whitley will have trouble because he was or still is a Democrat. I have heard him speak many times and he said as much. I agree that it will take some one who is independent and able to be trusted that’s why Gidwitz is the guy I am getting behind. I have been to the state and national conventions and at both Gidwitz has been there and doing outreach to the base of the party. I like someone who learns from his mistakes and can think strategically. I didn’t know in the last primary Gidwitz was more of a libertarian than the liberal Republican people made him out to be. He has been speaking at conservative group meetings and has even been meeting with prolife leaders from what I hear.
The McCain convention has rallied the base and will help stop the Democratic run away in IL. It may even save Kirk and Wellers seat and get the vote out for Oby.
Allot of us conservatives were depressed by the McCain primary victory but it has turned out to be the best thing that could have happened. It forced both sides of the party and come together, I think it is a pretty good model for the IL GOP to follow and Gidwitz is the candidate to use to build the bridge.

Comment by RAI Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 4:02 pm
I agree with RAI. I have also been seriously looking at Gidwitz. Many readers know this.

He just finished working with Meeks regarding educational funding reform. And you folks know I don’t question the Good Reverend’s motives there. Gidwitz seems to be following his political faith regardless of party, and has in the past.

And he isn’t a state legislator. Although I do like Bill Mitchell down there in the sticks of Decatur.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 4:37 pm
I would be intereted in voting for a Republican, but I want a real “maverick” who hasn’t morphed to the right and picked a running mate that repeats the same old, tired cultural wars rhetoric. Is this possible with the Republican party so divided; probably not. Perhaps a realignment of both parties is the answer, with the creation of 2 or 3 more serious options.

Comment by moderate-type Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 5:11 pm
Moderate Type, you bring up a fascinating subject, the creation of a new party, which really hasn’t happened in name since the creation of the GOP from the Whigs, or in fact, with the reconfiguration of the GOP and Dems after the Civil Rights acts of the 60s.

Ike, after he won his second landslide, seriously considered fronting a new party, basically casting aside the left and right of both parties and grabbing the middle, with his Treasury Secretary, Robert Anderson, as the hero. Ike’s never-ending series of heart attacks and Krushchev gobbled up all his time and the idea died.

Nixon, after his landslide victory over McGovern, wanted to do the same thing — remember the Silent Majority — with John Connally as the hero. I can’t remember the circumstances, but it seems to me both Nixon and Connally got distracted around ‘73 and the idea died.

In reality, as we all know, after either GOP or Dem candidate is nominated, they run as fast they can to the middle. The one exception would be W in 2004, who took Karl Rove’s daring plan to increase the vote on the right, rather than appeal to the middle, with the result being the razor-thin victory over the befuddled Kerry.

How did a guy who volunteered for Vietnam get cast as a wimp by a couple of draft dodgers like W and Cheney, anyway?

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 5:44 pm
Gidwitz seems like a nice enough fellow, but he’s hardly someone who is ever going to electrify voters. He’s not a great candidate. I don’t mean to be personal, but some have the gift and some don’t. Either of Lisa Madigan or Dan Hynes would smash him, that is if he managed to get out of a primary. Past history isn’t encouraging for Gidwitz.

As far as being a “bridge” between two parts of the party, that misses the problem entirely. There is a corrupt, self-dealing wing. We don’t need a bridge to them. They need to go. It’s clear Gidwitz doesn’t get that. He thinks he really can play ball with everyone. We’ve seen that with Gidwitz hanging out with the McKenna types in both Decatur and St. Paul. We don’t need a “bridge” we need a leader. We need a Sarah Palin, someone to take on the good-old-boys, not to just play nicey-nice to the status-quo. Gidwitz will never be that guy. It’s not in him.

No, I’m not sure who it should be in 2010. All I know is NONE of the names being floated now for Gov will have a chance against Madigan or Hynes. And none of the names out there are really doing anything to change the landscape. None of them have been doing anything to make a GOP statewide win by 2010 a serious possibility.

Next!

Comment by GOP'er Friday, Sep 5, 08 @ 6:19 pm
Talk about Mr. Personality Hynes? Come on, he is wall paper paste. Danny’s run for Senate was a laugh he never got out of the gate even though he WAS THE FAVORITE! His daddy has retired so his fund raising is cut in half. He could be comptroller for the rest of his career, if he’s lucky and quite.

As for Lisa with the fight going on in this state between the Speaker and the Gov even Chicago dem’s would see it as a total power grab for Lisa to run. Nope it is not the time or place for Lisa to run “One her own” I think even the Sun- Times would have to balk at that. At least a well funded GOP candidate could make that case very well. Daddy getting out the Christmas card list and making every Dem do the same would not play well for an AG supposedly on her own.
I was in St. Paul and Decatur and Andy and Gidwitz were not hanging out. I was in his suite more than a few times in Decatur (Heineken bottles) and never saw Andy. As for St. Paul I happened to go by the St. Paul Hotel and Ron’s event was going on, Andy was NOT there or any of the combine. If he was that close to the combine why Judy?

The more you think about it the more Ron has to be the guy. He can raise the $$$ (he raised 6 million in his last run as an unknown) he can get votes from Cook co (The co. with the most GOP voters) he can appeal to middle of the roaders and because of his positions he can bring conservatives on board. I don’t see anyone out there with the funds and the name recognition who can win and the race is right around the corner. Gidwitz is our best chance to win.

Comment by RAI Saturday, Sep 6, 08 @ 10:07 am
VanillaMan, GOP’er etc. Yes, the GOP needs a big change and the current establishment won’t do it. However, across the ile, the Dems. should and I predict will have problems in the future if a big change does not take place soon. Obama has been able to catch fire because voters are tired of old games pols play in both parties. We assume just because the Dems hold all of the state elected offices and local offices in cook and in the city of Chicago that everything is great for the people of Illinois/chicago. With all the curruption, nepotism, Machine Daley, (regardless of what hes says)…the city of Chicago is riddled with waste, mismanagement, curruption,and cronism…I think the Democratic party needs a complete moral realignment as well; and it is not going to come from the democratic ranks…the Daleys, Madigans, Strogers, Hynes’, etc. I predict time will catch up with all these people. Hey, we need a new movement at the local and state level; with all the stupidity state elected officers from both parties have displayed during the last six years; there must be a realingment for both parites.

Comment by ChicagoDem Saturday, Sep 6, 08 @ 12:21 pm
In regard to Ray LaHood’s comment that an executive who wants to be governor should start by running for precinct committeeman, it should be noted that Doug Whitley already is a precinct committeeman.

Comment by Capitalist Tool Sunday, Sep 7, 08 @ 8:00 am