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* Mike Lawrence looks ahead at 2010…
…the Republican gubernatorial hopeful in 2010 must offer blueprints instead of bromides on state finances, ethics reform and education issues, such as closing the academic achievement gap between whites and minorities and assimilating the youngest of our burgeoning immigrant population—matters vital to Illinois’ economic destiny.
Although Blagojevich and the Burris appointment may have kick-started a Republican resurgence and significantly improved GOP chances to garner the governorship and the U.S. Senate seat, the demographics still favor Democrats. In addition, Madigan and rising Democratic stars may have mitigated voter vengeance by pressing for Blagojevich’s ouster.
Republicans cannot rely solely on Blagojevich backlash. They must field outstanding candidates with mainstream views and somehow protect them from being cannibalized in primary-election holy wars by right-wing fanatics. Witness the internecine thrashing that left gubernatorial nominees Jim Ryan and Judy Baar Topinka bloodied as they entered battle with Blagojevich in 2002 and 2006.
It is fair for Republicans to attack. But they also must attract.
* And I’m not sure representing himself as an “outsider” is gonna work all that well for Doug Whitley…
We’ll soon get a new governor in the form of Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn. But can Quinn fix this mess in the two years left on Blago’s term? Doug Whitley thinks not. Whitley, on leave from his job as president of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, is a Republican running for governor in 2010. […]
Whitley has a calm demeanor and a pragmatic approach to public affairs. In the past, Whitley headed the Taxpayers Federation, ran Ameritech and was budget director for our last ethical governor — Jim Edgar.
Except for the stint with Edgar, Whitley has been just outside government, lobbying for pro-business laws to create jobs in the private sector. […]
Whitley presents himself as the outsider who nevertheless is intimately familiar with how government works and how it doesn’t. That combination could play very well with voters fed up with the same old pay-to-play crowd of professional politicians.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 9:27 am
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Lobbying for “pro” (read deregulated) buisness laws is not outside government, it is the heart of the republican party. The Republican push to avopid regulation following the S&L bailouts has helped to create the mess we are in.
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 9:36 am
The outsider with intimate knowledge on how government works. Isn’t that politic’s answer to Hollywood’s proverbial “hooker with a heart of gold?”
Mike Lawrence tells Republicans they need to “attract” people and then refers to people as right wing fanatics. Kind of undermines his message, don’t you think? That’s very “inclusive” of him at all.
Comment by Greg Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 9:41 am
Whitley was never a hanger on, though and wasn’t known for being a participant in the “smoke filled room” deals.
He’s a decent professional.
Comment by PPHS Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 9:42 am
A lot depends on whether Whitley or any other Republicans can connect on an emotional basis with voters. I’ve never heard him speak but if he comes across as just another boring business type, his chances aren’t good.
Whatever is said about our Blago, he rose to the governor’s office not only because of the support of his powerful father-in-law and of the Chicago Machine, with its links to huge contribution networks, but also because of his his ability to connect with average voters. Especially after Obama, the bar is higher, it is going to be hard for politicians in Illinois to win without that ability to connect, no matter how much money they can drum up from would be state contractors, job seekers, et al. People expect a performer…and a performance.
Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 9:44 am
So Edgar was our last “ethical” governor? That is a matter of opinion, of course, from a man who worked for the former governor, and it makes a rubber-band definition of “ethical.”
As for Whitley, I have always thought of him as an intelligent and practical guy. I’d like to see him on a Democratic ticket, actually.
Comment by Captain Flume Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 9:44 am
Doug Whitley is the type of candidate who makes the democrats very nervous. He has a proven track record of accomplishments and has the right mix of government and business experience. He is very engaging, confident and nonconfrontational.
Comment by Ron Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 9:48 am
Seems to me that suggesting that a Republican must offer a blueprint flies in the face of the national experience. There was no blueprint offered, just vague generalities.
Seems to me that no more should be offered for the statewide position.
Comment by Plutocrat03 Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 9:49 am
Whitley is going nowhere fast. In this this environment of businesses gone wild that has caused our national economic disaster (in part), do we think the #1 “LOBBYIST” in Illinois for business is going to get any traction with the blue state voters of Illinois? Don’t think so. I can picture the ads targeting Whitley now. All you would have to say is lobbyist and big business and he is dead in the water.
Comment by Niles Township Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:04 am
“Right-wing fanatics.” Pretty strong stuff from Mike. Doesn’t sound like the GOP battle is over yet.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:06 am
Lynn Sweet said it on TV a few days ago — Blago is not a Democrat, he is a “Blagojevich” — only interested in himself. The Illinois public can buy that, and go its usual blue way.
Comment by Capitol View Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:12 am
The last thing Republicans need is a lecture from some old Jim “MSI” Edgar hack who right out of the box hurls insults at the base with a crack about “the holy wars by right-wing fanatics.”
As I recall it was Jim Edgar who stood on a stage with Topinka and said Jack Ryan had to go for moral reasons. Why was that not “a holy war?”
And it was also Edgar’s gal Topinka who refused to endorse the last really decent Republican we had for reelection, U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald. She wouldn’t even do it as State Party Chairman. Unheard of.
And it was also Edgar pals Bill Cellini and Bob Kjellander who helped raise money for Blago’s election in 2002. Seems to me that did a lot more to hurt Jim Ryan than any grumbling about Jim Ryan from a few pro-lifers.
Mike Lawrence is either incredibly dishonest or incredibly senile.
Comment by GOP'er Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:13 am
Republicans must have a clear, consistent message to bring to voters if they want to win. They must have a candidate who islikeable and has a solid reputation for follow through.
On a side note, I have heard Doug Whitley speak, and he is very engaging. I don’t know his political connections, but his past work indicates he has them. He would likely be a very good candidate.
Comment by Fan of the Game Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:18 am
I predict whoever has the most money wins. Our current crook had more money to run his ads. Prove me wrong, I’d love to learn something new today.
Comment by Southern Right Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:20 am
Edgar may be the last governor who wasn’t indicted, but calling him the last ethical governor is a stretch. Management Services of Illinois anyone ???
Comment by TominChicago Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:22 am
it could be argued, quite effectively, that it’s lobbyists like whitley and groups like the illinois chamber and the nfib that have kept illinois’ business climate from going completely off the deep end. someone has to stand in the way of “progress” as defined by blagojevich and former senate president emil jones. niles township’s 10:04 comments are, in my opinion, reflective of the isolation in which his/her township and other like-minded areas of the state live. please stay in the bubble, n.t. sometimes government can’t fix the problem. most times, government is the problem.
Comment by colt 45 Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:25 am
TG for GOPer mentioned BlinkyJim and MSI. The guy quit rather than run and explain his role so let’s not get carried away the last ethical governor….. that is pure nonsense. Edgar is entitled to a point of view, but given his lack of accomplisments I would not spend much time looking it over.
Comment by 2ConfusedCrew Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:31 am
Whitley’s biggest hurdle is the rank-and-file. Few outside the Chamber of Commerce community know who he is. While he might be an attractive candidate on paper for the general, the fact is he has to win a the GOP primary - the primary of a party he only joined when offered a job in the Edgar Administration.
I’ll be interested to see how he does.
Comment by Amuzing Myself Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:34 am
Whitley is Gidwitz with just a little less sleaze. Good luck with either one.
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:40 am
It should be noted that Whitley is an SIU guy which makes him top notch, A+. He will probably be savaged by the wingnuts who believe wingnutism is more important than winning
Comment by HorseShoeHolder Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:56 am
Whitley is a good speaker and very knowledgable on the issues. His big challenge is raising money and not micromanaging his own effort.
As is consistent here on the blog, the conservatives are obsessed with every perceived slight or focused only on fighting within the GOP. Their self-absorbed myopia will doom the party’s chance for a come back before it even starts. And can the “that’s no way to be inclusive” rap. The right wingers started the war within the Republican Party and are the ones who torpedo any candidate who doesn’t toe their line.
Comment by Adam Smith Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:58 am
The real race in IL is not between Republicans and Democrats. It’s between centrist Democrats and liberal Democrats. The best a Republican can do here is to form alliances with centrists on issues of which they have interest.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 11:35 am
Good times, these are the good times
Leave your cares behind, these are the good times
Good times, these are the good times
Our new state of mind, these are the good times
Happy days are here again
The time is right for makin’ friends
Let’s get together, how ’bout a quarter to ten
Come tomorrow, let’s all do it again
Boys will be boys, better let them have their toys
Girls will be girls, cute pony tails and curls
Must put an end to this stress and strife
I think I want to live the sporting life
Good times, these are the good times
Leave your cares behind, these are the good times
Good times, these are the good times
Our new state of mind, these are the good times
A rumor has it that it’s getting late
Time marches on, just can’t wait
The clock keeps turning, why hesitate
You silly fool, you can’t change your fate
Let’s cug the rug, a little jive and jitterbug
We want the best, we won’t settle for less
Don’t be a drag, participate
Clams on the half shell and roller-skates, roller-skates
Good times, these are the good times
Leave your cares behind, these are the good times
Good times, these are the good times
Our new state of mind, these are the good times
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 11:43 am
Disclosure: I have an enormous amount of respect for Mike Lawrence, and consider him a friend.
To say he is “incredibly dishonest” or “incredibly senile” is, in my view, incredibly offensive.
I’m not defending anything he wrote, but whatever happened to disagreeing without being disagreeable, as they like to say down south?
Comment by Concerned Observer Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 11:44 am
Are we already playing 2010?
What have we learned people? In 2007, most everyone with a crystal ball claimed that the 2008 election would turn on Iraq, right? OK, let’s remember that when we start playing…
I believe it will be safe to say that 2010 will be all about the economy. Both the US and the Illinois economy is in deep enough so that it will take a fiscal miracle to see a turn-around by 2010. I don’t believe in economic fairy tales like the New Deal or Keynes to turn either economy around, so voters will decide on whom to support based a great deal on how they feel economically.
We have Mommies and we have Daddies. Mommies are Democrats and Daddies are Republicans. The Mommies have taken over DC and the Daddies have been voted out. So voters expect some cuddling, some happy talk, some Pablum, and a couple of diaper changes from Barack O’Mama.
Blagojevich is Joan Crawford as played in Mommy Dearest. He played a hard-working Mommy on camera, but we discovered that this Mommy did the deed with every bum with a buck. Bad Mommy! So bad, he was impeached.
Pat Quinn is Illinois’ Mia Farrow, an sweet lightweight mommy, who is forced to clean up a mess bigger than we think he can handle. Quinn has a lot of appeal in this role, but has to show that he can be a heavy lifter. Voters will need to see some steel in his spine to keep this Mia in the Mansion during tough economic times.
Lisa Madigan is That Girl! A spunky gal who won’t take no for an answer. Lisa is appealing and has a lot of voter strength due to her father’s appeal, (the popular Danny Thomas, and Mike Madigan). Because of her father, she starts with a well of deep support, but has to convince voters she knows what she will do with the challenges she will find in the Office.
Republicans are daddies. They need to tell voters why we need daddies in tough times. After Edgar, the Brady Bunch’s Robert Reed of daddies, and after Ryan, the Dennis The Menace’s Mr. Wilson of daddies, Republicans need the candidate who best resembles The Cosby Show’s, Cliff Huxtable.
Illinois will elect a Cliff Huxtable. The GOP candidate will need to appear knowledgeable beyond approach, have a strong sense of humor, and demonstrate why daddies are needed in tough times. Like Huxtable, the GOP candidate will need to have a soft approachable public appearance, love children, have a big heart and a kind presentation. Who will be the GOP’s Cliff Huxtable? That will determine if the GOP can win.
As to Roland Burris, we’ve spent more time on him than we have during his preceeding 25 years as background singer Telma Hopkins of Tony Orlando and Dawn, and frustrated TV star of Family Matters. Lovable, but revealed to have an unsatiable ego, Mr. Burris can be replaced by a number of GOP daddies.
The GOP needs to tell us why their tough love for Illinois would be the best way to shorten the economic miasma plaguing Illinois.
As to those who whine about the “right-wingers” harming the GOP; well, these people just don’t like daddies, do they? They are looking for a Phil Donahue or an Alan Alda daddy because they have felt they are not man-enough and have been criticized in the past for their mommy-views on issues.
Well, pull up your pants, you snivellers! Grow a pair! Tough times eat up wussies. When you discover that you are tired of hiding in the economic fox hole during the global business boom, find yourself some daddies to get behind. Sooner or later, voters will tire of Pablum and Pampers. Even those who choose to paint themselves as toddlers, eventually want to stand up and walk for themselves.
While it is understandable to run to O’Mama’s ample rhetorical apron strings during scarey times, kids eventually need a daddy to model themselves after.
In 2010? Who knows.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 12:05 pm
Classy and intelligent as always, VMan
I don’t recall Daddy Bush asking any sacrifices from anyone, other than the volunteer armed forces and their families. Everyone else would get a tax cut, and we’d borrow the cash. And the Daddy GOP Congress got drunk and spent all the money.
Did you listen to Obama’s speech? In a nutshell, he said times are tough, but everybody before us had it tough, too. Quit complaining and get to work.
And regarding a certain level of political discourse that you excel at, he quoted scripture and said “it’s time to put aside childish things.”
Give it a read. It would do you some good.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 12:16 pm
Whitley was until 2003 a Democrat. He is not going to be trashed but he won’t be able to excite people. He does have the Business background to help bring jobs back to Illinois but he has no idea of how to reach out to the base. We will know soon enough who the players will be when the numbers are released.
Brady better have a million or close or he is toast, Burkett seems to have his eye on AG. Cross will stay where he is,Rutherford will run for Treasurer, Roskam for Senate and Gidwitz will bring both side together in the primary.
Comment by vote counter Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 12:25 pm
GOPer-anyone who thinks Lawrence is either dishonest or senile greatly overestimates their own ability to analyze. Like it or not, any real R comeback in Illinois is going to have to be built around the very concepts Lawrence outlines.
And to say that JBT’s refusal to endorse was what sank our last R Senator is just outright silliness. Peter is a very smart man. He made choices and he lived with the consequences. I don’t hear a lot of b____ing from Peter, just from people like you.
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 12:26 pm
Yeah, right.
The only part you are getting correct is, “I don’t recall…”
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 12:26 pm
I read Obama’s speech. It was meant lift spirits of the “people” and lower expectations of government. It succeeded in that much. The Repubs need to develop their own feel-good message to make 2010 a competition. We’ll see if they can “meet that challenge.” (Jiminey, I hate that phrase!)
Comment by Captain Flume Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 12:29 pm
So to VM the Republicans are left to sexist stereotypes about Gender in order to establish leadership.
Imagine instead if we lived in a world where a person running for office would be judged not on sexists sterotypes, but on the content of their character.
Although I am fascinated to see that republican daddies do not change diapers or cuddle with their children… if only they had family values.
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 12:40 pm
Great prose, VM.
GOPer, why? Why trash Edgar and his people? The 1990s were a pretty good time in Illinois. I wish Edgar would’ve run for another term or for U.S. Senator.
Whitley would be a great candidate. How many businesses would send him unfettered donations? The business world in Illinois would view him as the only candidate who could combat an established candidate such as Lisa Madigan or Dan Hynes.
Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 12:46 pm
Sexist stereotypes?
Sorry to offend your wee little sensibilities!
Now stop pouting and wipe those tears. This daddy can change those poopy pants of yours in under a minute. Men handle all kinds of poop, even the kind that soils your Garanimals little Ghost!
Margaret Thatcher was a certifiable Lady. So is Hillary Clinton and Sara Palin. Leadership is not about gender. Democrats can have it too, when they pull off their aprons. Ask Truman and Kennedy.
Imagine instead if we lived in a world where a person running for office would be judged not on sexists sterotypes, but on the content of their character. - Agreed. Look at how the Democrats behaved regarding the Alaskan Governor because she was a woman.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 12:53 pm
It goes without saying that everyone in 2010 will be:
1) Ethical (“We must restore trust in our government–and I’m that person”);
2) No nonsense (“We cannot tax our way out of these problems, but we cannot say no to creative ways to fund education, road improvements and programs to create jobs–people are tired of empty promises”); and
3) Not like the other guy/woman (“me, I’m different.”)
These things being equal, how people raise the millions they need to drive points home may be the key factor. It won’t take too many cases of demonstrated poor judgment to create a new Blagojevich in the eyes of the voters.
So, Southern Right, you’re right that it’s about money as always. I just think RRB has made it more difficult to deny the influence of cash on the process so we have to see whether too much is, indeed, too much.
Comment by Narcoleptic Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 1:31 pm
Not to get too philosophical, but the Illinois Republican Party needs first to internally resolve the fundamental question of why it even exists. This would necessarily be a difficult process of reconciling very divergent views. Seeking to chain all party members to a platform that most have not even read, created by a group containing members that few have ever heard of, is no answer. Platforms of any stripe belong to era predating instant mass communication. Just ask Obama.
Only then will progress be possible. Until and unless it does, every GOP statewide candidate - moderate, conservative or otherwise - will continue to stand on quicksand.
Comment by Bubs Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 1:53 pm
Anyone who knows Mike “Scoop” Lawrence knows him to be a man of integrity and intelligence. (That’s from his old newspaper days) His advice should be heeded.
Comment by One of the 35 Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 3:08 pm
Why must we still listen to Jim Edgar and the retreads from those days gone by? Last time they pushed the unelectable Topinka. Clearly they are clueless.
Sure, the 90’s seem like a heyday now to some, but that had little to do with Edgar. The entire country was partying like there was no tomorrow. Leveler heads now recognize it was a big artificial bubble, and the bill has finally come due.
Edgar, Lawrence and that ilk always want to preach about the “big tent” - but in reality they have been the biggest destroyers of the IL GOP’s bench. No one has worked more viciously against good Republicans while backing trash. Just ask Jack Ryan and Peter Fitzgerald.
Lawrence’s most recent reference to “the right” and their “holy wars” is the most recent example. Pretty obvious that’s intended as a not too subtle comparison to Islamic extremists.
Yeah, there’s a real “moderate” attitude. Republicans recognize by now what that old crowd is all about - themselves. And anyone who stands in the way is targeted for attack.
Comment by Someone hit the gong Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 3:14 pm
Doug Whitley is an engaging speaker. He has friends in business and an excellent PR regime. However, he has also snubbed many and offended others who if he played his cards right, would be significant supporters. He may be surprised to see who are his critics.
Comment by Mo Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 3:19 pm
At this time in 2007, every pundit had Hillary winning -90% guaranteed! Also, the war was going to be the issue this time in 2008. Before Iowa, people still had it Hillary, with Thompson or Gulliani being the GOP nominee. Most had pegged McCain DOA because of his stance on immigration. The “right wingers” will never get behind him. All those predictions, confidently made, proved wrong. I am with those who caution that many twists and turns before we see who will emerge to lead the GOP. Dont be suprised if one or more emerge that have not been mentioned here. As for Lawrence and Edgar. Like them both. They did a good job. But the GOP is looking ahead and not behind.
Comment by Cousin Ralph Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 3:49 pm
Good times for Republicans?
After eight years of watching one party root for disasters in order to villanize the incumbant and win elections, I think we are all dead tired of this kind of question.
One of the many benefits Obama has received has been a public tired of presidential villanization. The winner of the 2000 presidential election was never accorded the level of bipartisan accolades being heaped on President Obama today.
So the question proposed at the top of this thread smacks of an idea whose time should have worn out it’s welcome after 2001, but had been milked for political chits ever since.
Being out of office is never a good time. Having one political party in power is never a good thing. As Americans were should be rooting for America, even when our leaders do not belong to the same political party as we think we are a part of.
Since 1801, when John Adams was defeated for re-election by Thomas Jefferson, America has refused to criminalize previous administrations. By doing this, we set a standard that other nations have failed to recognize and pay dearly for every election year. What Jefferson, Jackson, Taylor, Lincoln, Cleveland and many other presidents have learned, is that if we criminalize predecessor’s policies, we threaten to destroy the peaceful transitions between administrations. We see that many nations experience this and it has caused every political change to become a blood bath in those countries.
So enough with the Bush Derangement Syndrome. Let the Obama administration do for the US, what other administrations have done; prevent the political passions of the past from derailing our future. BDS, along with that other partisan abnormality, Clinton Derangement Syndrome, needs to end once and for all.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 4:38 pm
Cousin Ralph,
How right you are. It’s 2004, right after the presidential election where Bush and the Republican congress were once again swept into power, largely on national security concerns. A pundit says “the next Democratic nominee will be a mixed race man who was raised in an Islamic country, and who you have never heard of before now. And his inauguration will be a life-changing event for many.” Do you remember that prediction? I don’t.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 4:39 pm
You can’t really compare national stuff to Illinois, at least not yet. National politics has been fairly evenly divided since the post-94 period. Less so here. Remember, even though GRyan was elected in 1998, he was largely seen as the more liberal of the two candidates on abortion, guns and gays.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 4:49 pm
GOPer, steve and Team Sleep are right on this one. I’m not sure yet, however, that Whitley’s as strong as TS states. On the other hand, steve’s hit it right on the nail re: smart men making choices and having to live with the consequences. Most in our Party are actually strong enough to not cry about the latter too much or too long, especially in public.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 4:52 pm
But on the other hand, there is Bill Pascoe’s piece in Cong. Quarterly (1/14/09) ripping his fellow members of the GOP.
The circular firing squad is alive and well in the ILGOP
Comment by Skeeter Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 4:55 pm
By the way, nice to see the bitter condescending version of V-Man today. Poor guy. Must be a tough day for him. Looks like he needs his mommy.
We always knew side of VMan that it was lurking there though.
Go ahead, Vanilla. Pout.
Of course, when my two year olds throw fits, I have to remind them that those tactics just don’t work.
So pull yourself off the floor, VMan, stop whining. It doesn’t work for 2 year olds, and it looks even worse when alleged grown up try it.
Comment by Skeeter Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 5:08 pm
Before Blago was elected Gov., Illinois GOP held the Governor’s office for a record period of time! Dont assume Illinois is going to be all Democrat all the time. On second thought, keep thinking that Illinois is going to be all Democrat all the time. Because that thinking leads to the people in power disconnecting from the people. One week its “let the voters decide who their Senator will be” and the next week it is backroom planning to kill any effort to let the people decide who THEIR representative will be in the Senate. Nothing good or bad lasts forever. One lesson IlGOPers learned the hard way is that scandals at the top tend have a negative impact for multiple election cycles. The Dems will be humbled, the question is will the GOP take the appropriate constructive steps to position itself to be a credible alternative.
Comment by Cousin Ralph Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 5:10 pm
CR, the GOPs held the governor’s office with pro-choice incumbents all those years (GRyan was almost pro-choice by the time he was elected). Except for Peter Fitzgerald (who downplayed the social stuff and ran against a super-weak incumbent) I’m having a hard time remembering the last solidly pro-life top officeholder this state has had.
It’s more than the scandals.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 5:14 pm
Someone Hit The Gong: I’m assuming your’re an R, but if not, please disregard my post.
Many of were upset by what happened to Jack Ryan and/or Senator Fitzgerald. However, they’re not out there leading us anymore the way they once did–for whatever reasons (and you should assume there may be more than one reason or only the most obvious one).
Maybe it’s time to consider moving on a bit as well by seeking out new leadership, and/or stepping up to the plate to lead, and/or maybe even appreciating and being willing to learn (even just a little) from those who ARE still willing–and around–to work with us.
Regardless of what you may think of our Oldsters, or whether you’re a moderate or conservative, remember that we already have some other amazing people in office today with whom we can align and follow.
vote counter mentions some of them in the second paragraph of his post.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 5:20 pm
When, dear Lord, did Republicans become such victims?!!!
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 5:25 pm
Sorry, Rich. You’re right.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 5:26 pm
My ultimate point, which I cut short because I was on the phone, is that if you don’t win suburban women in this state you get clobbered. It’s a simple fact of life.
So, running around with blood on your teeth and screaming about this or that will scare that absolutely all-important demographic away. There’s no getting away from this fact. It’s immutable.
In other words, until the GOP finds a realistic way to attract the vast majority of suburban women, they can forget about winning major statewide office. Period.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 5:32 pm
Ghost, I thought VMan’s piece was kind of entertaining and didn’t take offense at all. But then again, I’d guess that many R women don’t really pay attention to the guy/girl thing–within, OF COURSE, the subject context–because we don’t believe it applies.
We blaze our own trails, appreciate whatever support we get, choose whatever support we want to provide, and are confident that the guys are perfectly capable and willing to change a diaper every once in a while when required. (I swear, we really do NOT eat our young.)
What VMan said generally is not an issue. That’s why we can find humor in it.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 5:40 pm
GOPer and such are brewing a recipe for a “purified” GOP (i.e. totally conservative) that will most likely find permanent minority party status in Illinois. Conservatives talk about “reform”, but that is just a code word for “taking over.”
There was an e-blast today from the United Republican Fund stating that “We will no longer tolerate Republican elected officials who support tax increases, big spending, and corruption.”
That statement is hardly controversial within the GOP. But it appears the that the high priests of the URF will assign to themselves the role of deciding who gets the big bulls-eye put on their back as a traitor (and rest assured it won’t be any friends of the URF.)
The URF blast also calls upon all to sign a letter that the Republican legislative leaders “to demand that they reign in their members to support traditional Republican principles.” (And who decides what are traditional Republican principles, and when they are violated, and by whom? Yup, you got it, the URF.) Unless someone abolished the Constitution while I was asleep last night, there is freedom in this country, especially in elected officials who answer to their constituents, not the URF.
Other fringe elements of the GOP have been hawking this line for years, and it has been increasingly obvious that the real purpose is vendetta and empowerment of conservatives, not reform. These groups assert that the Illinois GOP can’t reform Illinois, or even take on the Democrats, until it “cleanses” itself. But only a moment’s reflection reveals that the goal of ultimate cleansing is impossible to meet: it is right to fight corruption (and I have), but some corruption was present when Adams fought with Jefferson, and will be there when we are all dead and gone. So what is the real purpose of this ultimate “cleansing” demand, and its element of delay in taking on the Machine? (The answer comes when you ask yourself a question: who decides which people have to walk the plank in this “cleansing”, and when the party is fully “cleansed”? Yup, you got it, the same people asserting the principle.)
Yes, the Illinois GOP has Combine problems, and it will be good to see some of the Paragons of Combine move on, one way or another. It seems that the process is well along, thanks to the Feds in part. But for Moderate Republicans, best to wait, to hope that the myopia and obsession will abate, and see if a reasonable leader will emerge from the Conservative Wing to open rational discussions.
If not, see you all on Primary Day for another bloodletting.
Comment by Bubs Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 5:41 pm
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Not to get too philosophical, but the Illinois Republican Party needs first to internally resolve the fundamental question of why it even exists.
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I think there’s a very simple and basic answer to that question. It’s the same answer that’s when raised with the D context, as well.
We provide necessary balance. And, strictly within the the R context, that’s why it makes sense to have moderates and conservatives work together.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 5:48 pm
Bubs, that was a heckuva post, especially the realpolitik stuff about using the word “reform” as a means to the ultimate end of control. Good job.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 5:49 pm
MO- You are right. I don’t know my critics, but I am willing to take counsel and learn. Call me, I listen.
I genuinely care about facts and policy. I try to tell it straight. I believe in collaborative, open, accountable and transparent government. The dictatorial, closed, vindictive and abusive self-serving government we’ve been living under is offensive to me and I hope millions of other caring people. It has motivated me to do something besides observe and grumble. I am counting on others to feel the same. Our great state is crumbling and leaking jobs while our elected officials have both ignore and abdicated their responsibilities. I’ve had enough. How about you? Doug Whitley
Comment by doug Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 6:04 pm
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Lobbying for “pro” (read deregulated) buisness laws is not outside government, it is the heart of the republican party. The Republican push to avopid regulation following the S&L bailouts has helped to create the mess we are in.
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Sorry, Ghost, once again I disagree because the statement you made is again extremely general. There are many Rs who believe that LIMITED regulation is at the heart of our Party.
Case in point, where in heaven’s name would be if we still believed that, for example, Healthcare should not be regulated to a certain degree–still killing people by injecting something comparable to Windex or antifreeze into their veins until we got it right?
And, honestly, you can’t blame the economy entirely on Rs. Why weren’t the Ds screaming loudly throughout? For anyone who’s even slightly interested in performing a full, detailed analysis, it’s obvious (just as in Illinois), that reps from both sides of the aisles were screaming periodically along the way.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 6:34 pm
Ethics? Jim Edgar? MSI? Cellini connection? Guess what word does not belong above.
Comment by ToughGuy Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 8:03 pm
Any GOP candidate should make sure that if they run on a platform of reform or cleaning up campaign finance concerns they need to choose a running mate with a flawless record in this regard. Otherwise it will be a problem.
Comment by Bring Back the Chief Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 8:32 pm
Whitley is an interesting candidate. I’m not so sure that one of the previous posters was correct in labeling Whitley a Democrat up until 2003, but I do know that while serving as the former Director of Revenue under Edgar Whitley had to deal with an incompetent Deputy Director (a former car salesman) who sent out fundraising letters for Edgar to the homes of Revenue employees. Whitley dressed him down good and didn’t suffer any backlash from Edgar either. Whitley is clean of Thompson, Edgar and Ryan all three and might be a good start for the Republicans.
Comment by Downstate Cook County (Macoupin County) Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 8:56 pm
I found the posted analysis reasonable, save for one thing…
I doubt there will be much of any Blago backlash. He is already out of the picture, and the once the electorate wakes up to the fact that he’s the only issue the Rs have, they will start to focus on what the Dems have done with 100% control from early 2009 on.
By the time the R “consulting class” gets the polling data that the Blago “fright wig” isn’t working (it will take 4 rounds of polls for that crew), the Dems will be busy taking credit for “making the tough choices” on issues Republicans refuse to touch.
The R establishment hates its own base, refuses to run on issues, and is merely hoping that some ephemeral “backlash” will put them back at the front of the trough they spent 25 years building.
The argument that 2010 is going to be a “comeback” year for them is very thin.
At some point they are going to have to send the horse to the glue factory and get another one. Given how badly they’ve destroyed the “Republican” name, calling it “Republican, Jr.” isn’t going to help much.
You may now return to fantasizing about Doug Whitley winning an election.
Comment by Bruno Behrend Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 11:25 pm
Interesting analysis. I’d toss in one unknown at this point, though, that’s almost impossible to gauge right now.
The D Honeymoon will be long over by 2010. Considering the build-up in expectations during the campaign, it will be interesting to how effectively the Ds will be able to reset those expectations based on the climate before then and explain away the reality of the obstacles and delays they’ll be facing.
I’m guessing, a good portion of the population is going to become disillusioned. I’m also willing to bet that Illinois is going to feel it’s being let down the most.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 11:50 pm
Here’s the previous post. Is this what we’re getting from the GOP whiz kids these days? Read it word for word, sentence by sentence:
====Interesting analysis. I’d toss in one unknown at this point, though, that’s almost impossible to gauge right now.
The D Honeymoon will be long over by 2010. Considering the build-up in expectations during the campaign, it will be interesting to how effectively the Ds will be able to reset those expectations based on the climate before then and explain away the reality of the obstacles and delays they’ll be facing.
I’m guessing, a good portion of the population is going to become disillusioned. I’m also willing to bet that Illinois is going to feel it’s being let down the most.=====
Incomprehensible, isn’t it?
Reading is a prereq to writing So is intelligent conversation. Visit your library, then visit your local bar and talk to people who work for a living.
Based on your post, I hope you’re not a graduate of an Illinois public school.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 1:56 am
Rich
I don’t know what 1998 race you remember but Fitzgerald was prolife even in case of rape and was labeled as a progun nut! Remember he sponsored a conceal carry law. So he ran as far right on life and guns as possable. George was meeting with conservatives weekly reminding everyone what his record was. Pro life Pro gun CONSERVATIVE! Thats why he got in so much trouble so early when he pushed Illinois first through, he didn’t stab lifers in the back for another year when he went back on his word and signed a government funding bill. But until he was Governor he ran on his record as a conservative. And to call Carol Mosley Braun weak as the only african american women in the Senate with Clinton and his wife raising money and coming in everyweek to campaign for her makes it sound too easy.
What the GOOP lost was the law and order issue, that was always how suburan women stayed with the GOP. For years crime went down to levels like the early 60’s it is now going back up(lisa will have to account for that) The conservatives and moderates will come together in this primary Kejellander and Cellini are out of the picture and Jim Thompson is now out of power. It took awhile but things have changed.
Comment by northsidejim Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 10:24 am
===and was labeled as a progun nut===
Actually, he was not pro-gun. So, I’m not sure what planet you’re from.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 10:25 am