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* Yesterday’s Tribune editorial noted something about its statewide poll that the paper’s reporters had completely ignored…
Recent Tribune polling statewide finds 45 percent of respondents identify themselves as Democrats, and 28 percent as Independents. Republicans, dodging extinction, lurch in third, at 23 percent.
So, even after all the craziness that this state has gone through in the past two years, there are now fewer Republicans than independents? Well, that may be a surprise to the Trib, but we’ve talked about this very issue before.
And, of course, that horrific result doesn’t mean the Republicans are completely doomed. Plenty of “Blue” states have or have had Republican governors. And, as I pointed out in my newspaper column this week…
Illinois voters simply stopped listening to Republicans in this state several years ago. But after years of watching Rod Blagojevich and the perpetual Springfield circus, the GOP message of no tax hikes, budget cuts and ethics reform probably will get a fair hearing next fall.
Whether that fair hearing is enough to actually win an election is anyone’s guess.
* Right now, though, the best thing the Republicans have going for them is the Democratic Party. For instance…
A bomb that blew out the window of a Prospect Heights home may have been planted in the wrong location, authorities said.
An explosive that went off about 3 a.m. Aug. 25 in the 200 block of Gail Court South likely was intended instead for the home of an area political activist who lives on the same block, Prospect Heights Police Cmdr. Al Steffen said.
The intended target of the bomb “was a whistle-blower in a political campaign,” Steffen said. “We were aware that there was an investigation going on involving that person.”
If that police speculation is correct, then the cops apparently believe the bomb was intended for the woman who blew the whistle on Democratic state Rep. Paul Froehlich.
Yikes, man.
* And then there’s Mayor Daley’s tanking numbers…
For the first time since he became mayor two decades ago, Daley’s critics outnumber his fans, a Tribune/WGN poll found. The mayor’s approval rating is at an all-time low of 35 percent in Tribune polls, according to the new survey. […]
Nine out of 10 people disapprove of the parking meter deal, according to the Tribune/WGN poll, which surveyed 380 Chicago voters from Aug. 27 to Aug. 31. The poll has an error margin of 5 percentage points.
When Daley is in trouble, everybody with a “D” behind their name in the Chicago media market is in trouble. People may or may not like him, but they always thought he got the job done. That’s not the case these days.
* And of course there’s the outside chance that the Democrats might nominate Rod Blagojevich’s former spokesperson as their US Senate candidate. From Lynn Sweet…
Democratic Senate hopeful Cheryle Jackson and I talked Sunday about why she went to work for Gov. Rod Blagojevich as his spokeswoman — and why she left his administration during his first term when she realized Blagojevich was making decisions “based on personal benefit.”
* But at least the Cook County Democratic Central Committee, as a whole, isn’t as stupid as Todd Stroger’s allies…
Some Democratic leaders had hoped to prevent a direct vote on an endorsement of Stroger by first proposing a vote to hold an open primary. But Stroger’s supporters sought an endorsement vote, and those backing other candidates then asked for a roll call.
Oops.
* Back to that Tribune editorial…
What protects Illinois Democrats from the abyss? Their unwitting friends the Republicans, who have a disgraced former governor in prison. They have some excellent officeholders, some interesting candidates, but no cohesive message: Quick now, how does the Republican Party of Illinois propose to fix all that’s so wrong with this state? What does the GOP believe?
Well, let’s see. Hmmm. Hey, they’ve got a guy who walked out in a huff during a presidential address to Congress because the president wasn’t bipartisan enough. This was the same guy who told his fellow Republicans at the State Fair that the GOP mantra ought to be “Just say ‘No!’” to the Democrats on everything. So, there’s that.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 8:46 am
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>Recent Tribune polling statewide finds 45 percent of respondents identify themselves as Democrats, and 28 percent as Independents. Republicans, dodging extinction, lurch in third, at 23 percent.
Yet a prior polls says, 20% are liberal, 40% are conservative, %40 moderate. The writer for the Tribune is whacked with a nothing but blue blood running thru his veins and of course thinks Obama is the greatest president ever and can’t wait for government run health care. Ugh. No wonder so many newspapers are going out of business.
Comment by Segatari Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 8:51 am
Segatari, that was a really stupid comment. Nowhere in that editorial is Obama praised. He’s barely even mentioned.
Go back under your rock for a while. Or have some coffee.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 8:53 am
Plenty of “Blue” states have or have had Republican governors.
And plenty of “red states” have Democratic governors.
The state GOP should take a close look at the types of candidates who win in these situations: they are candidates who are generally moderate, reflect the interests of their home state, and are not card carrying members of the lunatic fringe of their respective parties.
The real problem for the Illinois GOP is that the lunatic fringe controls the primary. If the poll is true, and the number of independents outnumber Republicans, I would think it becomes very, very difficult for the GOP to nominate the kinds of candidates that will win statewide elections.
Comment by the Other Anonymous Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 9:04 am
I think Segatari’s comment says it all when it comes to the Republican message and the state of the Republican Party. It seems the “base” is all wound up in the liberal/conservative nonsense… shouting all sorts of innuendo, half truths and gottchas…accusing “liberals” of one thing and another - blaming the media, etc - but offering no meaningful ideas. I think the average voter is getting tired of these tactics and is tuning out the GOP. Of course, that could all change if the Republicans craft a meaningful message. But so far, it’s “no.” Just ask Shimkus.
Comment by Deep South Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 9:12 am
TOA was just going to post the same eneral idea (sans the word lunatic). Whats intersting is that the GOP party in Illinois seems o have lost a lot of its moderate memebers, who have either gone independent or dem.
The repubs used to have a base in the low to mid 30’s.
The problem is they have concentrated down to their conservative base; but the canidates which appeal to that base as generally, in my oppinion, not electable. So the GFOP needs to get back in touch with its moderate self; and embrace the idea that a moderate repub who stands for some things the conservatives do not like is porbably still betetr for them then a dem.
The IL gop seems intent on eating its own young and then self destructing in order to stand up to: evil immigrants, medical breakthroughs from stem cell research, and services to the poor.
Comment by Ghost Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 9:17 am
No question the Illinois GOP is down, but I don’t put a lot of stock in this whole Trib series of small-sample polls.
If nothing else, 45% Dem seems high to me, but maybe it’s just the crowd I hang with.
The Main Street GOP is going to have to have a showdown with with the nose-in-everyone’s-personal-business Jihadists who are more interested in identifying the unclean than in governing.
For a model, they might want to look to post-war Minnesota, and the purging of the Commies during the merger of the Democrat and Farmer-Labor parties.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 9:29 am
The problem for the Illinois Republican party is : it’s not that different than the Democratic party. When former Illinois Governor Jim Thompson can be placed on Rod Blagojevich’s transition team, why have a Republican party?
Comment by Steve Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 9:29 am
Soon people will be looking into the operation of the Chicago Urban League. Has Ms. Jackson run it well? Has a massive debt been run up? When the facts come out, we will have more insight into her credibility, as well as her ability to be a trusted public servant.
Comment by Anon Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 9:41 am
The poll is not surprising.
The Illinois GOP didn’t have a “message” for the past 30 years, but it had power until ten years ago. The Illinois GOP had often been a party of mercenaries, conservatives and independants during that time. You ask what Shimkus stands for? What did Thompson stand for - you know - the longer serving governor in Illinois history?
What does the Illinois Democratic Party stand for? Take a look at our current situation and ask yourself if whatever it was that the Democrats were calling themselves in 2002, was what they were, and what they delivered! Unless they said that they would push Illinois into bankrupsy and give us a crook to impeach in 2009, where their actions delivering any message?
Illinois is a blue state. Over the past 30 years, Thompson, Edgar and Ryan didn’t change that because they didn’t make it a point to change it. They appealed to independants and conservatives on a personal level, not on a message level.
It will happen again. The next GOP governor, whoever or whenever that happens, won’t make Illinois red. Illinois is a blue state. That has been the case for generations.
So, the poll is no surprise.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 9:42 am
FYI, my taxing idea you slammed here last week was called for by Mark Brown in the sun-times. Time for legislators to show they know how to bleed fat cats just as badly as us.
2nd, cheryle jackson must think we are idiots. Unlike voters, she was an insider and got to see ol’blago up close. She saw a top job, threw her morals out the window and went for it-and was rewarded handsomely with the urban league gig. She wasn’t one of these political hands that came in from out of state. She knew what she was doing and I’m offended she has the nerve to run despite her blago ties. We weren’t all educated in chicago public schools.
Comment by shore Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 10:15 am
Steve, thats my favorite self detsrucive mantra the extreme right has come up with.
better nothing then a canidate who is not in lock step with every ultra-conservative viewpoints.
Comment by Ghost Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 10:16 am
Generalizations can sometimes be very true. But in elections, we have to look office by office, race by race. So, here in Illinois: how many statewide offices held by Ds are at risk of being won by Rs? How many US Senate seats are at risk? How about Congressional seats (any R seats at risk of being won by Ds?)? And then, the Illinois General Assembly; what’s the turnover going to look like there? I hope I’m just being pessimistic, but I don’t see such a bright future for us Rs next November.
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 10:20 am
23 percent of the state is republican, which means there are 5 ultraconservative republicans that make the noise of half a party. get real.
Comment by shore Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 10:21 am
–We weren’t all educated in chicago public schools.–
Shore, what do you mean. Do you want to use your superior education and expand on this point? Was that statement made in your capacity as the A-No.1 Kirk cheerleader?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 10:24 am
What was the make up of those polled? Is this another example of polling and inordinate number of one party to get an expected result?
Comment by Downstater Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 10:34 am
Downstater, please remove your tinfoil hat.
Sheesh. Do you really think the Chicago Tribune, of all newspapers, would deliberately skew a poll Democratic?
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 10:43 am
Is this the same 700 registered voters poll reported on last week?
There does seem to be a clearer demarcation on the tax issue evolving.
As far as Shimkus goes. The walking out story seems contrived to me. Sen. Byrd did similar things during the Clinton Administration. Well, actually, he just didn’t show up because he didn’t believe Clinton worthy of the office — and that was pre Monica. I’m sure there other similar stories out there.
And someone enlighten me. What is the role of the opposition party if not to say no to the party in power?
Comment by Greg B. Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 10:49 am
Mark Kirk is the answer to the question, Rich, not Shimkus. I think Shimkus will do just fine down South, but he is not going to be the IL GOP’s statewide candidate in 2010.
My answer to this question should strike fear in the hearts of Illinois Democrats.
Comment by phil Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 10:51 am
Rich, make your sarcastical comments, but obviously you don’t have the poll data or you would respond. Take off your rose colored glasses. Do some real journalistic work.
Comment by Downstater Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 11:29 am
Greg B. - Seems to me that one party, whether in power or not, would make a proposal for legislation. The other party would make a counter proposal. The two sides would get together, work out their differences, and craft meaningful legislation that would benefit the entire nation. That’s how it worked for more than 200 years. Now, we have too many politicians, not enough statesmen. They work for the benefit of party, not the country. Anyone else?
Comment by Deep South Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 11:42 am
Downstater, unlike you, I speak from a bit of knowledge. For instance, a Public Policy Polling survey of Illinois back in April had this partisan breakdown for Illinois: 45 percent Democrat, 30 percent Republican and 25 percent independent.
And while I would agree with you that the Tribune needs to be far more transparent on their polling numbers, I would suggest to you that you’re a tinfoil hatter on this topic.
Take a breath, man.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 11:46 am
Public policy survey. Question 16 in the poll asked those responding to the poll to list their identity. Without know the underlying poll parameters, you comment just means you can’t verify the validity of the poll. Those numbers were in April and obviously the results of party affiliation has changed, since then. All you are doing is reporting numbers, with no verification.
Comment by Downstater Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 12:19 pm
“The other party would make a counter proposal. The two sides would get together, work out their differences, and craft meaningful legislation that would benefit the entire nation. That’s how it worked for more than 200 years. Now, we have too many politicians, not enough statesmen. They work for the benefit of party, not the country.”
Well, the easy obvious answer to that would be the Civil War. I also recall John Adam’s VP, one Tom Jefferson, doing everything he could to undermine his friend the President prior to his election.
I also know that are numerous counter proposals to the health care bills before Congress. The Dems have ignored them.
The purpose of the opposition party is to do what “opposition party suggests.” Political competition is the means by which we govern this country — whether it be by elections or the separation of powers, or policy debates.
Historians will tell you that campaigns and policy disputes are much friendlier today than they’ve been in the past. When in modern times has a Congressman gone after someone with a cane? No, that happened during your 200 years when politicians came together…
Comment by Greg B. Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 12:54 pm
So when does a Democrat (or non-Republican, whatever Rich wants to be called) speak for what the GOP message is? Rich sites two instances, but there are a multitude of conservative GOP’ers that are forwarding there stances and what they believe in. Probably not on NPR though.
Rich uses select quotes to support his proposition that the IL GOP has no beliefs.
Perfect case of illogical people trying to use deductive reasoning. DOH.
Comment by LaterDude Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 12:54 pm
==============
Whats intersting is that the GOP party in Illinois seems o have lost a lot of its moderate memebers, who have either gone independent or dem.
==============
Yup. And there’s never been a better opportunity or scycle than this to bring home an entire lost generation of Rs.
===========
The IL gop seems intent on eating its own young….
===========
That’s changing, too. Stay tuned….
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 12:58 pm
===Rich uses select quotes to support his proposition that the IL GOP has no beliefs.===
Actually, it was the Tribune edit board that said the IL GOP has no beliefs. I just added a snarky remark to it.
But go ahead and believe what you believe. It’s not like logic, facts or reason will penetrate anyway.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 1:02 pm
============
Was that statement made in your capacity as the A-No.1 Kirk cheerleader?
============
Ouch.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 1:08 pm
I’m a republican. I’ve voted for every Republican presidential candidate since I reached voting age, same for Republican Illinois gubernatorial candidates. There are at least two Republicans who have announced their intent to run for governor who I will be happy to vote for in November. I prefer a good Republican to a good Democrat. I prefer a bad Republican to a bad Democrat. But I’m not stupid. We have to have more than “Obama is bad, Rod was corrupt, Hillary may be a closet lesbian, and even if she’s not we still hate her” as a platform if we expect to win anything. Too frequently Ds have the best proposals on the table solely because they have the only proposals on the table.
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 1:09 pm
The “ouch” was for the slap on the wrist shore received–just in case he misinterpreted.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 1:10 pm
============
That’s how it worked for more than 200 years. Now, we have too many politicians, not enough statesmen. They work for the benefit of party, not the country. Anyone else?
============
Agreed. However, I’d add that every once in a while, a Party–and sometimes Voters overall–luck out because great Candidates who restore much-needed Pride step up to the plate.
And Steve, 10:20, that’s where it’s at this time around and indicators say it’s going to be very powerful.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 1:24 pm
Anon, that’s where what is at?
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 1:30 pm
==========
So when does a Democrat (or non-Republican, whatever Rich wants to be called) speak for what the GOP message is?
===========
LaterDude,
Who says Rich is speaking for, or is even attempting to speak on behalf of the GOP?
If you’re new here, this blog is comprised of all sorts of believers who debate timely topics introduced and moderated by Rich. The topic selection is balanced.
Again, if you’re new, you might want to begin with following the discussion to understand how we interact on this blog.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 1:37 pm
Sorry, Steve. I was referring to the bright future for Rs you had referenced. I think we have a pretty good number of exceptional Candidates this time around who, along with other “rock stars” can help us trun this around.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 1:41 pm
For the record, on Team America’s blog, I am probably one of Kirk’s biggest haters, largely because I feel he’s been out to lunch politically in the district. If you look at the 2008 election numbers, McCain/GOP were killed in the 100 most educated countiesin America-areas like ours where elephants once romped. As top moderate leading the mainstreet partnership/tuesday group, Mark has partly been responsible for the parties failure to reinvigorate itself in the suburbs. He tried in 2006 with a suburban strategy which won plaudits from d.c. insiders like david brooks and mort kondracke but failed misrebly(google rep. fitzpatrick)-for those of you who see him alone as our party savior, take note.
As for Jackson, I’d walk preccincts in a blizzard against her as would any republican worth his elephant ears. My problem with her is the arrogance this woman has in running after what that administration did to this state and how dumb she thinks we are that because she hangs out with valerie jarrett and comes from obama’s party that we’ll overlook her work in it? There are people on this blog with far more political experience than I and you know very well when you get to that level you know all the warts on the frog with which you are getting on a lillypad. That’s not the kind of judgment that’s worthy of the u.s. senate.
Comment by shore Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 1:46 pm
Anon, but on a race by race basis here in Illinois, how many statewide offices will we take Gov? AG? SoS? Comptroller? Treasurer? US Senate? How about Congressional seats? Won’t it be a fight to keep Kirk’s? Are there Ds we’re going to beat? How many State Senate seats are we going to take away, and which ones? Same question, State House? I see us making some gains but not nearly as big as some have suggested.
Maybe one or two statewide offices, but at the bottom of the list. I think we’ll be lucky to break even in the US House, maybe pick up one. I don’t think we’ll get the only black seat in the US Senate. Who are we targeting in the IL Senate and House? Can we beat them? Can we hold Watson’s seat? With Coulson gone, can we hold that House seat? I’m not nearly as optimistic as some. Maybe I’ll prove to be wrong. It won’t be the first time.
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 2:12 pm
===============
…for those of you who see him alone as our party savior, take note.
===============
shore: some would argue that one of the basic philosophical differences between the Ds and the Rs is that political “saviors” seem to appeal to Ds a bit more than to Rs. (Think of the reaction to the word “expect”; Rs tend to react better to inspiration.)
I’m seriously seeing indicators that the fervor and momentum of the 04 primary might be possible in this race. And it has to do with “people” and their reactions and perceptions, shore. Not a particular “Savior”, though it does take a certain type of Candidate(s).
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 2:24 pm
if you spend 5 minutes with mark kirk you know that this is a politician who prefers 1 on 1 meetings and markups to the rah rah party politics. Nothing in 10 years up here points to him making speeches before greek columns in football stadiums and being a party gamechanger as I noted.
Comment by shore Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 2:47 pm
I’m not sure I agree with you, shore, but I do believe that some of the others I’ve mentioned and succeeded certainly were far from being “rah rah party politics” type.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 3:05 pm
Sorry. That last one should have read:
I’m not sure I agree with you, shore, but I do believe that some of the others I’ve mentioned–and WHO succeeded–certainly were far from being “rah rah party politics” type.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 3:07 pm
=== between the Ds and the Rs is that political “saviors” seem to appeal to Ds a bit more than to Rs. (Think of the reaction to the word “expect”; Rs tend to react better to inspiration.) ===
I disagree big time with that. D’s tend towards inspiration and R’s like the Savior apporach (just drop the name Ronald Regan). R’s are looking to be saved from the evil immigrants, and saved from helping others, and saved from the evils of stem cell research.
not to mention that the R’s have a lot of preachers talking about salvation through electin R’s. the R’s want their conservative savior.
Comment by Ghost Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 3:16 pm
Sorry, Steve. Didn’t mean to skip. I’d have to take a closer look at possible numbers across the State because that hasn’t been my focus. I do believe, however, that reports across the Country are favorable. And, obviously, if we win a few key battles here at the right times, it’ll look better overall for everyone.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 3:19 pm
Steve, I live in State Rep. Coulson’s district, and I think that a Republican will replace her. She’s in her seventh term. Most of that district has a republican congressman (Kirk). Most of that district has a republican county commissioner (Greg Goslin).
Comment by Conservative Veteran Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 3:21 pm
Again, Ghost, Republicans generally do not like to be “saved” from anything. I’ll tag onto your Reagan example: We didn’t want him to “save” us; we…let’s say “idolized” him because we 1) acknowledged his great leadership abilities and 2) liked the number of victories he LEAD us through.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 3:31 pm
I disagree big time with that. D’s tend towards inspiration and R’s like the Savior apporach (just drop the name Ronald Regan). R’s are looking to be saved from the evil immigrants, and saved from helping others, and saved from the evils of stem cell research.
not to mention that the R’s have a lot of preachers talking about salvation through electin R’s. the R’s want their conservative savior.
If that is how you describe Republicans, you are too close minded and prejudiced to be believed. It is one thing to disagree with policies, but quite another to describe those who disagree with you as drooling morons.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 3:35 pm
Schnorf’a my kind of Republican. A focused problem-solver, not a hysterical ruckus-maker.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 3:47 pm
CV, my concern with Coulson’s seat (she’s one of the best legislators I ever worked with) is that if the primary produces a nominee with views similar to the people who used to challenge her in primaries, the seat may go “D”
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 3:56 pm
Everyone may be a bit to obsessed with the polls on this Republican bit, though I agree with the polls that put GOP standing in Illinois at record lows.
Polls are not all of the story. As ever in politics, follow the money. A hidden dynamic is the GOP’s loss of the Illinois business community and their funding. That problem, unfortunately, is not one easily remedied with slick ads and fresh faced candidates.
It is no accident that the decline of the GOP in the 1990s, and the collapse of the Illinois GOP in the 2000s, not only correlates with Republican scandal, but also with the ascendancy of Mayor Daley, with his personal power over the Democratic Machine and all sorts of other levers of power. He has become a second sledgehammer with Mike Madigan’s grip on power in Springfield.
I know many a successful Chicago businessman who votes Republican (only in the general elections, mind you, where party loyalty cannot be tracked), but serves on Daley committees, cut checks to Democratic candidates, and would never, ever think of donating a dime to a Republican organization or candidate. Such donations would be reported in public campaign finance records available on the internet.
The oft-stated reason in turning down GOP fundraising? “We have to do business in this town.”
The flip side of that statement should be obvious to anyone. I can recall a Chicago restaurant being put out of business for a day or two, and forced to pay a substantial tax twice, for the offense of allowing its facilities to be rented out for a Republican event.
A friend from Minnesota commented recently that it is no problem there to get businessmen to write big checks to the GOP. The GOP is relatively healthy in Minnesota. Note that GOP moderate Norm Coleman nearly survived a Democratic landslide in 2008.
Not so in Illinois. Only a few hard core Conservative businessmen, including Jack Roeser, Dennis Healy and Barry Seid, still consistently write big checks every year, and those only to candidates or organizations that toe the Social Conservative line. That situation, in turn, influences candidates and leaders to adopt positions to the right of their voter base.
In the new breathing space created by Patrick Fitzgerald and his attentive prosecutors, the GOP in Illinois, and Chicago in particular, would be very wise to think about a business and fiscal approach, not “Social Conservative Agenda or Death.” They may find that independent voters are willing to take them up on the latter.
Comment by Bubs Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 4:53 pm
I am not sure why so many people here feel the need to wish for old fashioned country club - fiscally conservative but socially moderate almost Libertarian party positions from the GOP. From my limited reading of the current platform that is not the case.
Which is fine the GOP is free to define its self and move forward.
I think its foolish to believe that the current conservative positions are not electable statewide.
Don’t try to confuse me with polls either you are just ignoring the sileint majority of the citizens of this state.
Comment by Anon3 Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 7:03 pm
Ah! The great “Myth of a Conservative Electoral Majority” rears it’s head again.
Anon3 says, “I am not sure why so many people here feel the need to wish for old fashioned country club - fiscally conservative but socially moderate almost Libertarian party positions from the GOP.” Answer: because Social Conservatives make up (at most, on a really good day) about 20-23% of Illinois general election voters.
But hold on. Maybe you are right, and all the election results and polling are just bunk. But then tell me, if that great Silent Conservative Majority is really out there, just where the heck are they hiding?
Finally, please accept my apologies if my intentions were misunderstood. I wouldn’t dream of trying to confuse someone like you with things like “evidence.”
Comment by Bubs Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 7:23 pm
–I am not sure why so many people here feel the need to wish for old fashioned country club - fiscally conservative but socially moderate almost Libertarian party positions from the GOP.–
That sounds awful. Who would want that?
The way things are going in the Illinois GOP, we may never know.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Sep 14, 09 @ 8:22 pm
Bubs- the key to my post was “the GOP is free to define itself and move forward” the rest was sarcasim.
Sorry I will try to be more clear next time.
Comment by Anon3 Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 12:03 am