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Herding wild (GOP) cats

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* Rosanna Pulido won the GOP primary in the 5th Congressional District with just 1,001 votes, compared to Democrat Mike Quigley’s 12,100. But some folks actually think she can win the general. From a post at RedState…

On Saturday afternoon, in the midst of Chicago’s famous St. Patrick’s Day celebration with its tradition of turning of the Chicago River green, a cadre of concerned Republicans met to plan a way to capture the Congressional seat of Chicago’s 5th District, the one being vacated by Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.

Her supporters and other interested parties… met at the top of a Michigan Avenue high rise in the comfortable setting of a decades old executive dining room of a Chicago insurance company. The rich wood decor was meant to invoke an old Irish pub, but carousing wasn’t on the schedule that day. Planning a political campaign was, however.

This meeting, dubbed a “council of Trent” by organizer and long-time Chicago conservative political activist and radio raconteur Tom Roeser, was meant to gather those that might help candidate Pulido to launch a campaign to turn Emanuel’s seat red.

This race is interesting for several reasons. As mentioned, it is for the Congressional seat of Obama’s Chief of Staff, but oddly enough the Illinois Democratic Party is not much involved in the campaign for Pulido’s opponent Mike Quigley. Quigley is running as a “reformer” and has widely criticized many members of Chicago’s Democrat political machine. That, combined with the fact that the Ill. Dems simply assume any Democrat will win the seat regardless, seems to have added up to Quigley being left to his own devices by the Party for his campaign for the 5th District seat.

It’s true that the Democratic turnout for the general will probably be low, but enough for a GOP win? Is that really possible? It is in some minds, and the race is being used to widen the insurgent/insider Republican war…

This being the case, one would think that the Cook County Republicans or even the state party might swarm in and make a play for the seat with a show of support for their Republican candidate, Pulido. Imagine stealing the Congressional seat of Obama’s chief of staff? What a coup that would be, eh?

Unfortunately, you’d be wrong thinking the Illinois GOP was smart enough to try it. And this salient fact shows the utter fecklessness of the Illinois GOP establishment as well as its utter hatred for any candidate that is remotely conservative. The Illinois GOP and the Country party both have turned their collective back on Rosanna Pulido. Hence the reason that Tom Roeser and crew have felt the need to come together to organize a citizen’s committee to act in place of the party establishment to support Pulido’s run.

But some insurgents were left out of the Saturday meeting, and they ain’t happy…

Sure beats us as to what point Rosanna Pulido’s supporters are trying to make by keeping their efforts to win Rahm Emanuel’s congressional seat a secret from like-minded and widely read conservative sources such as Illinois Review, but being open and giving interviews to national political sources such as RedState.org. What’s up with that?

From RedState we learn that Tom Roeser hosted an exclusive secret meeting on winning back the seat April 7. We’ll stand by and report from afar….as Pulido and Roeser obviously want it…Good luck with that, folks!

It’s like herding cats.

* Meanwhile, speaking of the embarrassing GOP split, Jersey County Republican Chairman Floyd Alexander takes issue with Sen. Chris Lauzen’s attempt to to pass SB600, which would force a popular vote to elect state party central committeemen…

But what is most concerning about Sen. Lauzen’s letter is his attempt to use our men and women in uniform to bolster his case.

Sen. Lauzen says that he is working to remove the current leaders of the Illinois Republican Party because to not do so would “dishonor the sacrifices of my father in World War II, my friends in Korea and Vietnam, and my sons in Iraq and Afghanistan.” I have news for you, Sen. Lauzen; you have already dishonored them and every other man and woman to wear this country’s uniform.

I fought and was wounded in Vietnam. My father fought in Germany during World War II. How dare you invoke my sacrifice, my father’s sacrifice and every other soldier’s sacrifice in a discussion about party elections?

As a county chairman who opposes SB600, I do not demand that every Republican toe the line and be ideologically pure. As far as I am concerned there is plenty of room for debate and disagreement in the Republican party. What I, and most other Republicans, do expect, however, is basic respect.

Maybe it’s more like herding wild cats.

* Phil Kadner looks at the war’s background, after starting his column with: “Conservative Republicans in this state hate moderate Republicans more than they hate the Democrats“…

To understand what’s going on here you probably have to go back a decade or more, but this is the sort of bitter squabbling that resulted in Maryland blowhard Alan Keyes running as a Republican against Barack Obama for the U.S. Senate in 2004.

Back then, Judy Baar Topinka was running the state Republican Party, and the conservatives didn’t like her much.

When Republican nominee Jack Ryan was forced to withdraw from the U.S. Senate race because of a personal scandal, Topinka wanted to replace him with Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth Doody Gorman, of Orland Park.

But the conservatives stepped in, and Keyes became the GOP candidate and a political disaster.

The idea was to embarrass Topinka and undermine her eventual campaign for governor.

In fact, many of the Republicans now backing SB 600 and ridiculing McKenna ended up supporting Blagojevich for governor when he ran against Topinka.

The internal backstabbing hasn’t stopped. And now the Democrats have gotten involved.

Go read the whole thing.

* Related…

* Early Voting in 5th District Starts Today

* Fox Chicago interview with Pulido

* Police seek women who were with Skoien during attack by wife

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 9:19 am

Comments

The GOP have Blago, Burris, Stroger and Daley, plus undoubtedly a state tax increase of some kind on the way, and they seem intent on blowing it.

Now Tom Roeser and Rosanne Pulido don’t want anything to do with the Illinois Review folks? What’s that — the far-right wing rejecting the distant-right wing? It’s a game of addition, folks, if you’re interested in governing rather than venting.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 9:35 am
I am thoroughly confused. Kadner claims conservatives forced Keyes onto the electorate. Yet wasn’t it the GOP State Central Committee who decided to have Keyes replace Jack Ryan? That is hardly a conservative body.

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 9:38 am
One would think that since nobody is going to come out to vote in this race and since there was a Republican elected to this office not too long ago the GOP would make some effort. I guess they are going to try a sneak attack and LaRuchie their way in. It is a pathetic state of affairs-what the IL GOP has fallen too.

This special election is a poster child for changing the way special elections are done.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 9:44 am
If they put Keyes’ forward to embarrass Topinka in the Gov’s race, it is still working. Problem is, it has embarassed the entire GOP. And continues to embarass them.

Comment by How Ironic Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 9:46 am
Ravenswood, yes. It was Dave Syverson on the committee who pushed Keyes. Keyes was also pushed by non SCC members Steve Rauschengerer, Don Manzullo, and Dan Proft. Jack Roeser waas also a big backer. Others were involved, but these names come to mind.

At the time, conservatives were excited about Keyes. After the loss, they’ve been running from their part as fast as they can.

Most pathetic is their attempt to blame Keyes on Topinka. Lauzen tried to do this again just last week. Shameless.

Comment by Monkey wrench Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 9:48 am
IIRC there was a division at the GOP State Central Committee meeting with Topinka and a portion of the committe supporting Andrea Grubb Barthwell, while the majority of the committee supported Keyes. Topinka just acceded to the majority. To say that Topinka or the ‘moderates’ on the committee foisted Keyes onto Illinois is only so muc GOP ‘conservative insurgent’ historical revisionism which seems to run pretty rampant lately, just like the claims that it was Obama who had Jack Ryan’s divorce files released–discussed on here last week.

train111

Comment by train111 Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 9:53 am
Phil Kadner’s column was great. A lot of background on something I didn’t know much about. It’s very unfortunate that Republicans still can unify for issues that perhaps the state might want to hear a different perspectives on. My are moderates and conservatives at each other’s throats?

Comment by Levois Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 9:57 am
just like the claims that it was Obama who had Jack Ryan’s divorce files released

Well, a big challenge for him in the primary was Blair hull - who had divorce records (and the ex) pop up.

Then, it happened again to a well financed opponent. Co-incidence? Looks odd though.

GOP State Central Committee meeting with Topinka and a portion of the committe supporting Andrea Grubb Barthwell, while the majority of the committee supported Keyes.

That committee is NOT conservative. The whole point of SB 600 is to make that committee more responsible to the rank and file.

Just like it is for the Ds. Just like it was in 1985 or so.

And, to avoid any revisionist charges, I’ll say it again.

Barthwell had a 0.01% chance to win. She had a 50% chance to lose by 60~40.

Keys had a 5% chance to win. He had a 60% chance to lose by more than 65%.

Which is better? I say take the long shot with a chance to win, not just lose gracefully.

As for Topinka, the loss of the Titanic was the responsibility of the captain, not the deck officer who was actually on the bridge when it was hit.

Comment by Pat collins Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 10:01 am
===Co-incidence? Looks odd though.===

The coincidence is that two multi-millionaires thought for whatever reason that they could buy a win despite having serious “issues” in their divorce files.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 10:04 am
Judy Barr Topinka was right, they would have been better off replacing Ryan with Cook County Commissioner Gorman, actually anyone but a crazy import (Keyes).

Tom Roeser hosted an exclusive secret meeting on winning back the seat April 7.
How exclusive was this meeting? Did they excluded a lot that should not have been?

Yes, Rich hearding wild GOP cats, that sums it up good.

Comment by Third Generation Chicago Native Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 10:07 am
Keyes had a 5% chance to win???

Please pass me some of what your smoking. It’ll definitely make my day go by better!!

I also want to add that when Pulido gets 30-35% of the vote in April, Roeser and his crowd will be quick to blame the GOP organization for its ‘lack of support’ After all, the problems that plague the Illinois GOP are definitely somebody else’s fault.

train111

Comment by train111 Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 10:08 am
Conservatives did indeed present and push Keyes to the State Central Committee in 2004, after Ryan imploded. Dale Syverson and Bill Pascoe were major proponents.

As I recall, Topinka disliked Keyes, but the GOP was running out of options and the Conservatives were adamant. Some may recall that Topinka met with Mike Ditka about running, but he backed away when it was explained that he would have to give up his commercial endorsements.

In the end, not having a better candidate who was willing to run, and out of time, the SCC accepted the Conservative pressure to nominate Keyes. Of course, he was the disaster that many predicted.

The Conservatives have tried to walk away from Keyes ever since, but the truth is out there.

Comment by Bubs Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 10:11 am
Anyone giving Pulido the prospect of 30-35% is just being polite.

Comment by Bubs Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 10:17 am
Regular Dems will be happy to ship Quigley off to Washington. The old pols will turn out big to get rid of him. It’s a special election - if he loses, Quigley stays on the county board until he challenges another regular Dem for another post.

Pulido scores 20 - 22% of the votes cast, at most.

Comment by Capitol View Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 10:20 am
Kudos to Chairman Alexander. It is about time that GOP officals start standing up to the schoolyard bully tactics of Lauzen, Roeser, et al.

Comment by Bubs Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 10:23 am
Speaking of National GOP Leaders lets not forget Mr. Dreamey —Cong Aaron Schock. We worry his new hadle will bog him down.
FROM the PJS
He also is co-sponsoring a bill with a Missouri Democrat that would give federal research dollars to companies researching the use of manure as a petroleum substitute for asphalt, among other legislation……
AKA CCongressman Cr%$Top….hopes this makes it through Capt. Fax’s prude machine.

Comment by EmptySuitParade Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 10:24 am
I think the problem for the GOP in the 5th is a law of political physics. For every action, there will be an equal and opposite reaction. Another words, the more the GOP tries to pump up their vote-the more they will invigorate the dems to come out too. No matter what-the percentages will probably stay the same.

I guess a stealth campaign targeting pro-life and regular Repubs (and there are lots of em’) would be the way to go-but it really may be pointless unless, of course, you were trying to make a point that your party is still viable and willing to run a campaign and present issues for voters to decide on. What a crazy idea that would be.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 10:27 am
Oh!
We almost forgot..how soon can we get DeadEye Dick Cheney into IL?…..we need to hear the Bush handled speech Live!
That assumes he is as full of the silly sauce as he was on Sunday

Comment by EmptySuitParade Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 10:29 am
First of all conservatives wanted Oberweis the man who came in second to replace Jack! The choice between Barthwell and Keyes was simple. Barthwell had recently voted Democrat she was prochoice and she was anti- Marriage amendment. The Primary was won by the conservatives w/Jack! winning and oberweis coming in second there was no interest in naming a “Moderate/ Liberal” because the Moderates in the primary came in last! So with the choice between Barthwell and Keyes the choice was made easy. The SCC was NOT going to listen and give the nomination to OBY, Kejellander hated him for demanding his resignation. So what was left? It was late in the summer alreasdy, there was no money for a candidate/ campaign, Keyes could come in with name recognition and be able to raise money nation wide (He raised $3 million).

As far as Roseanna and the secret meeting it was advertised on the Roser show and in his blog. There was a nurse there who worked nights and who slept in her car to be at the meeting. She had heard on Tom’s show that we were going to try to help Roseanna and she wanted to do anything she could. Thats how “exclusive” it was. Any one who thought they could help or wanted to help was invited. The party was reached out too, City, county and state and nothing. Red State and Chicago News bench were there, they heard it or read it by themselves.

Comment by mover631 Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 10:32 am
To clarify what SB600 is, is the bill to let Republican’s living in Illinois to directly vote for their leadership. What a foreign concept.
So please explain to me why anyone, other than those in power, would be against this? That point is conveniently glazed over in this article.

So why not come out and say, “We know better than you, so why would we let you VOTE for your own leadership?” I’m sorry if a democratic vote on OUR Republican leadership seems to be a BAD idea. Opponents of SB600, such as Jersey County Republican Chairman Floyd Alexander do not even mention why this is a bad bill. They attack Lauzen and say they want “respect”. What the heck does respect have anything to do with choosing your party leadership????
I’m confused.

Comment by Dudeman Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 10:58 am
“The old pols will turn out big to get rid of him.”

Sure?

If he loses, the also rans get another chance in 2010 at a solid Dem District.

Comment by True Observer Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 11:01 am
I’m conservative, and, in June 2004, I thought that St. Sen. Rauschenberger should have replaced Jack Ryan, as the GOP U.S. Senate nominee. At the time, four of the previous five U.S. senators, from Illinois, had been state legislators. Those four were Peter Fitzgerald, Carol Moseley-Braun, Paul Simon, and Alan Dixon. The exception was Dick Durbin. Since Rauschenberger was a state senator, his experience would have helped him receive a higher percentage than Keyes.

I knew about Rosanna’s Sat. meeting, because it was mentioned during last Thursday’s Republican Assembly of Lake County meeting.

Comment by ConservativeVeteran Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 11:04 am
That giant sucking sound you hear is the state GOP circling the drain, even as their greatest opportunity to make headway since the Edgar years flies right over their heads.

Conservative-minded Illinoisans might be better off to go the blue dog D route. Where’s Stephen Douglas when you need him?

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 11:05 am
It seems what we are witnessing is the evolution of the Republican party into at least two separate parties. The factionalization has been apparent for several years on both the state and the national level. There is more loyalty to the memory of a GOP than to any ideology or consensus-building. The sooner a clean break is made and members loyal to the factions admit their separateness, the sooner we will some clearer articulation of policies and movement toward a goal. The Dems have the advantage of sheer numbers with the promise of more of something for nothing.

Comment by Captain Flume Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 11:31 am
Captain,
I think allot of what you read here is whisteling past the graveyard. I would be nice to allot of people who read this blog if the GOP would screw this oportunity up. The POL’s here have to see trouble coming from a angry electorate. Ryan was a good excuse for years and some hope W will do the same but what we are looking at is democrat rule nationwide and statewide. Tax hikes as far as the eye can see, on carbon,cigaretts,cars, forced unionization. There will be a consences candidate for governor and Senate on the GOP side (I think it will be Gidwitz and Roscum)and the pendulum will swing back again.

Comment by mover631 Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 11:54 am
==Where’s Stephen Douglas when you need him? ==

In the same place where any hopes of a conservative democrat leading the Dem party in Illinois resides: forever dead and buried in a tomb.

As for this being a sign of the party splitting, please. A minute number of nutcases making noise to attempt a power grab does not a real “party split” make. Ironic that one of their “rallying cries” (emphasis on the word cries) was how the “moderate” wing of the party is in bed with democrats…and attempting to get their way they’re going against the wishes of the majority of the party and getting the Dems to do their dirty work.

Comment by Anon Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 11:56 am
You just can’t make this stuff up. TII

Comment by Ghost Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 12:24 pm
Time to moveon. Got an email from Doug Whitley this morning after complimenting him on his appearance on the berkowitz program, which is by the way, the best public affairs show in chicago bar none. Whitley seems to have new ideas and new vision and we are better off focusing on that this than this hatfields and mccoys stuff of yesteryear.

Comment by Shore Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 12:35 pm
It’s so funny watching the washed up hacks like Bubs make bigger fools of themselves.

It’s even more funny that McKenna’s staff had to go all the way to some little county in southern Illinois to find someone silly enough to put his name on the thug machine’s latest lies.

But McKenna really takes the cake. Now he’s threatening to sue if Republicans have the nerve to vote again.

Please keep the clown act going guys. You’re just helping more and more Republicans see exactly why Republicans need their voice back. Everyone is seeing what a bunch of incompetents are capable of when they have no adult supervision.

McKenna and his goofs have already done too much damage for Republicans to have any hope in 2010, but SB600 is about building for the future.

Comment by Too funny Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 12:51 pm
Too funny, I’m not sure that your word use (thugs, clown, goofs, etc.) has the reaction you intend. Perhaps just the opposite.

Just sayin…

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 12:53 pm
It’s OK, Rich. Everyone knows that the poster “handles” may vary on this type of post, but the authors do not, nor does the junior high school invective. Trust me, it’s always one or the other of those same two people every time.

They are hurting their own cause every time they even approach a keyboard . . . which is just fine!

Comment by Bubs Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 1:11 pm
Pulido can’t win this thing unless some sort of indictment were handed out against Quigley and that’s not going to happen, since he’s not guilty of anything.

In the 5th, there’s no GOP infrastructure, outside of the 42nd, 41st and 45th Wards, as well as Leyden Twp.

Bottom line, Rep. McAuliffe, Ald. Doherty, Commissioner Silvestri, Rep. Saviano and Mayor Stephens have a “gentleman’s agreement” with the Democrats on the Northwest side, so they will put down any chance a GOP candidate has.

So, even if Pulido were to put together some cash and pay people to walk for her, her own party leaders in the western part of her district would destroy it.

In addition, the goofballs that are having meetings downtown with people that don’t matter, have never run any races before, in the city or otherwise, so this is a game to them. This is something they can go tell their friends about, but they have no real plan or experience.

The reason why Pulido won the primary, is because she’s a woman, against six men who had no campaigns either. That’s it.

When the results come in on April 7th, I’ll say that Quigley beats her 80-20, + or - 5 points.

Comment by Joe Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 1:11 pm
P.S. to To Funny-

I don’t think your friends will be laughing in court if SB600 passes. The State GOP’s constitutional argument looks pretty strong to me.

Comment by Bubs Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 1:22 pm
Well where do I start here.

It’s nice to mention the candidates folks wished had been the replacement, like Steve R, etc. but the only guy with any local name to speak of to step up who wasn’t going to be facing their first race was Jim O.

Does anyone really think an elected central committee would have convinced some ‘name’ to decide to run. All of these people who are complaining about it could have stepped up and tried for the seat. Why didn’t they? Because they thought the odds were long are were worried about looking bad.

Comment by OneMan Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 1:59 pm
Yawn. Yeah, bring on the frivolous litigation.

Again, thanks for bringing still more people into the pro-SB600 camp. This is getting easier all the time.

It’s amazing to me. What kind of person gets their undies in bunch over the thought of Republicans getting a voting right returned, the same one they used to have and the same one the Dems already have?

I didn’t think America would have anyone like that.

Maybe this is another product of illegal immigration.

Rosanna Pulido, where are you?

Comment by Too funny Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 2:10 pm
Joe
Some of us goofballs were there not only because some think she can win but that this being the only congressional race in the country you have a unusual oportunity to see what kinds of issues might play in 2010. No matter what, if she does better than expected, and that won’t be hard,national attention will focus on WHY.
I guess people as experianced as you just let special congressional races where 35,000 votes can win go by call me dumb.
BTW like him or hate him I think Tom Roeser has 60 years of political experience and a few groups he founded that will go on far beyond his own career.

Comment by mover631 Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 2:25 pm
A side question that has ben nagging me.

The current GOP folks do not want a vote. If they have the majority of support, a vote should be a nullity, just retunr the same folks to power. If they have a minority of the votes, how are they ale to keep a structure in place which keeps them in place?

On the outside it looks like a minority revolt from a group that would be unable to have enough internal votes ayway, so why grind yourself to pieces on an issue that should have the same oucome?

Comment by Ghost Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 3:47 pm
Ghost, because a political party should be able to decide themselves how to elect their leadership. Opening it up would not only allow the potential for Democrats crossing over to influence the outcome, it would always result in not necessarily who is best for the job, but simply who has the most name recognition. And the two aren’t always the same. It’d simply be a popularity contest, an expensive, time and money wasting popularity contest. To think this change would “give voters a voice” is a joke. 99%Voters don’t give a rats behind about who their committeeman/woman is. County chairman and those doing the groundwork do.

Comment by Anon Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 4:19 pm
mover631, there’s another, more important congressional race going on in NY-20 that will determine what issues are important. As it was a Democratic district with a Republican registration advantage, that race will be the true first test of what issues will “play” in 2010 and not a race in a safe Democratic seat in Chicago.

Comment by Ben S. Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 5:14 pm
Good stuff, Bloggers. Most R’s I know (and I’m an R) really aren’t into political organization…we just vote. I was a precinct comitteman for a term, hated it, and didn’t identify with the geeks who were so into the process. But, as things are, they’re in charge of everything.

Nothing wrong with them, but I want good candidates and good leadership. I think the best way to do that (with R’s…D’s are more into the organization thing) is to let us vote on it. Don’t worry, we’ll research it and actually think about it. Except for that George W. idiot (only once for me…please forgive), we’re pretty savvy.

Comment by Bobs yer Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 8:58 pm
That election is before IL5, if only by a week so IL 5 will be the only election in the country

Comment by mover631 Monday, Mar 16, 09 @ 10:49 pm
[…] If the Republicans don’t like SB600, they ought to talk to the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Chris “CPA” Lauzen (R). […]

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