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Question of the day

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Illinois

* The setup…

The Illinois Republican Party is inviting the public to submit questions for an upcoming debate of the GOP candidates running for governor. Questions can be sent to debate@ilgop.org

GOP officials are asking that submitters include name and hometown.

* The Question: What are your questions for the Republican gubernatorial candidates?

Try to keep the snark to a minimum. Thanks.

…Adding… I’ve asked all the GOP gubernatorial campaigns (plus the top two Democrats) to look at this post and choose a question or two and then provide a detailed answer. I’ll run those answers here tomorrow.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 10:49 am

Comments

Anyone who is paying attention realizes that fixing our financial mess will require a combination of cuts and increasing revenue.

What tax increases would you support and what tax increases would you not support?

Comment by YNM Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 10:59 am
The current budget deficit is $12 billion. If you were governor today, how would you close that gap in order to propose a balanced budget to the GA in February 2010?

No nebulous long-term job growth or tax incentive strategies, please — a proposed balanced budget less than four months from now.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:00 am
If you were Governor, who’s taxes would you DECREASE and by what margin (if any)?

That’s a pretty quick way to see who is truly out of touch.

Comment by Obamarama Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:03 am
How do you propose to raise enough funding (say $15 million)to mount a serious campaign? (Especially if you have to go through a contentious primary)

Comment by One of the 35 Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:12 am
Would you be willing to be a one-term governor that angers voters by restoring Illinois’ fiscal health through sacrifices and tax increases?

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:12 am
If you are not successful in your primary election campaign, will you pledge today to endorse, contribute to, and campaign for the winner decided by Republican primary voters?

Comment by LincolnLounger Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:14 am
Senator Brady: Your campaign is all about not raising taxes but reviving the economy by bringing back the 700,000 jobs Illinois has lost. How do you bring back 700,000 jobs and how quickly will they be restored to revive the economy?

Comment by ilrino Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:15 am
For years after the 9/11 attacks the Republican Party at all levels sought to link itself to George W. Bush and his policies. How should Republican candidates and the GOP deal with that past now? Should Republicans repudiate Bush or some of his policies? Which policies? Should Republicans hope voters forget that past? Should Republicans point to how the Bush administration failed to correctly implement conservative policies?

Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:16 am
McKenna: How can you run ads calling yourself an outsider?

Comment by Hairy Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:16 am
What are you plans to make Illinois a destination economy? Would you make struggling communities (whether urban, suburban or rural) destinations when you do make Illinois a destination economy? That is would anyone be left out?

Comment by Levois Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:16 am
How do you plan on working collaboratively with a legislature in which Democrats hold majorities in both the House and the Senate?

Comment by The Doc Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:24 am
Give us just two examples, with detail, of how you would trim the budget to help make up for the revenue shortfall. Give us two examples of what you would do to increase revenue in the short term, and if they are tax increases will they have a sunset clause?

Comment by Justice Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:27 am
How do you give the Republican Party a better chance than your opponents of winning in November?

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:31 am
With the average family’s take home pay stagnant over the past decade, and more families on the unemployment roles every day please explain why Illinois government taxes poor families harshly when taxes on the poor are counter-productive and what you will do to get the government off of poor people’s backs?

Is it fair for a poor family to be forced to pay even higher taxes when government money is being spent on professional sports, horse racing, horse beauty shows, $300,000 government pensions, “economic” offices in Africa, and whatever other frivolous expenditure is reported in tomorrow’s papers?

Comment by TaxThePoor? Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:33 am
@LincolnLounger
“If you are not successful in your primary election campaign, will you pledge today to endorse, contribute to, and campaign for the winner decided by Republican primary voters?”

Andrzejewski, Brady, Dillard, Proft, and Shillerstrom all answered that question affirmatively at the Cook Co. Republican Convention last month.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:36 am
Bill Brady, you’ve talked about the need to create jobs and you’ve talked about how you’ve had to let many employees go from your own construction company. Would it help if you concentrated on your own business instead of travelling around the state full time campaigning? What would you tell those who would say job creation - and retention - should start at home?

Comment by just sayin' Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:43 am
To win election, you will have to spend the net year of your life in this quest of a campaign. So I must ask you is if elected, would you push to move the Primary Election date to later in the year, and if so, to when?

Comment by fedup dem Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:47 am
since i don’t believe that any republican candidate will support a tax increase, please detail the cuts in state government spending you will introduce, adding up to the $13B shortfall. be specific.

Comment by bored now Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:48 am
2 part question
1. Why are you good for the people of IL?
2. What was Judy thinking?

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:49 am
If national health care includes an opt-out option for states, and the decision came down to you, would you opt-out Illinois?

Comment by Robert B Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:52 am
Robert B, that’s a very good question and something I’ll be looking at very soon.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:53 am
Mr Nyberg is at it again with his linking of every topic to a president who is no longer in office. Maybe we should be asking if any democratic gov candidate will repudiate the foolish decision of WJC to support NAFTA? Just as relevant as any of your recent rantings. Boring.

I like the idea of asking a gov candidate to declare that he is willing to sacrifice his future re-election by stating he will do what is necessary even if it means defeat in the second term. The candidate must state what that plan is - specific details related to short term relief. Long term 10 year job growth is admirable but we need short term disaster minded relief now, cuts and revenue.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:55 am
In 250 words or less, what does the IL-GOP stand for?

For 30 years or more both parties have been fiscally irresponsible, what is your plan to get the state back on the road to solvency?

Comment by Angry Republican Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 11:59 am
What are the five largest cuts you will make to the state budget? Exactly how much of the deficit will these cuts make, and what kinds of taxes will you raise to make up the difference?

Comment by Boone Logan Square Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 12:28 pm
We all saw the consequences of the party not rallying behind its chosen candidate in the last statewide election. If you are not the winner of the primary, would you support the party’s nominee by actively supporting financially as well as campaigning?

Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 12:29 pm
Once Pat Quinn or Dan Hynes Wins the 2010 election, what do you see as the next step for the republican party in Illinois?

Comment by Speaking at Will Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 12:30 pm
Why in God’s name would you want to be Governor of this State at this time?

Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 12:52 pm
What do you consider a “fair” percentage of final salary to be given as a public pension, and at what age should public employees be able to retire?

Comment by PalosParkBob Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 12:53 pm
People, I’ve deleted three snarky questions in the past few minutes.

Try to be serious on this one. Thanks.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 12:54 pm
What are you willing to do to modify current public pension policy to bring public pensions and pension benefits into line with what the legislature is willing contribute?

Comment by PalosParkBob Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 12:55 pm
The recent admissions scandal at the University of Illinois that resulted in the resignations of the President, Chancellor and most of the Board of Trustees indicates pervasive corruption at the highest levels of the institution. Given the problems with “clout” discovered in admissions, are you willing to extend the investigation to the University’s procurement, contacting, hiring, and promotion practices?

Comment by PalosParkBob Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 1:00 pm
One of the things that would entice employers to Illinois would be to allow small businesses to form larger groups to get advantages in health insurance rates. Would you support such a change? Would you support the state requiring Illinois Health Insurance companies doing business in Illinois to create an unsubsidized catastrophic care pool for small companies and uninsured indivivuals?

Comment by PalosParkBob Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 1:05 pm
Will you be a voice for people with developmental disabilities in a state that ranks 51st in the country for community-based services?

Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 1:11 pm
What is your strategy for unifying the Illinois Republican party around the Republican gubernatorial nominee and other Republican candidates for statewide office?

Comment by Captain Flume Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 1:25 pm
Adam: You said that you’ve helped Cook County Government spending become more transparent. Since this change, name two areas where the county government is being operated more efficiently as a result of this change. Has this improved the quality of life for cook county residents?

Comment by Make a Change Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 1:43 pm
Please explain why Illinois taxpayors employed in the private sector should continue paying taxes to support generous pensions and other retirement benefits to Illinois state and local government employees when similar benefits are fiscally unsustainable and unavailable in the private sector.

Comment by Cook County Commoner Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 1:54 pm
What will you do to remove the onerous levy for school funding from residential proprty tax bills and cause the state to live up to its constitutional requirement to fund public education.

Comment by Cook County Commoner Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 1:58 pm
Q1 - Why should I continue to vote for the GOP? I see NO direction, no leadership and everyone fighting.
Q2 - The Gov only gets passed what the House and Senate want them to. How do you think you can be different then the last few gov’s to get things passed?

Comment by Enough... Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 2:35 pm
Rich -
According to what I heard last night, a state can opt-out, but must still pay as though they were still a part of the system. It is a lose-lose situation, so opting out isn’t viable. Whether the candidates like Obamacare or not, the correct answer is that no state can afford opting out under the terms defined by Senator Reid’s bill.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 3:17 pm
What are some successes in your professional life that indicate how you will govern should you be elected?

Comment by Marky Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 3:55 pm
What do you consider to be your greatest failure and what did you learn from it?

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 4:31 pm
As Governor, will you abolish the death penalty or re-instate the death penalty? Reform or further study answers must be interpreted as dodges given that the commission’s findings and recommendations have been out there for several years now.

Comment by Kang Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 4:38 pm
Illinois has seemingly abandoned economic development - specifically business attraction, entrepreneur/small business development and foreign direct investment. Also, other states are aggressively trying to get Illinois companies to move/relocate because of the Illinois business climate. What are your thoughts and/or solutions?

Comment by Levi voted for Judy Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 5:58 pm
Levi, are you kidding me? Are you looking for a specific break for a specific company?

The U.S. — every level of government, business and consumer — is leveraged to the hilt. We’re broke — we need to cut, not give breaks.

Businesses — service or manufacturing — that can move are going to Mexico and Asia, not other states.

It’s not like your local plumber, construction company, or baker is moving to China. They’re staying where they have customers.

We went through the giveaway culture in the 80s. It was a ripoff. Good schools, streets and public safety are what real, good businesses want from the state. The rest is out of the SOIs hands.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 6:11 pm
I probably would go with one of the “What parts of the state’s budget would you cut, being specific.” I might also ask about state support for the university system and what levels of funding he sees as appropriate. Especially whether per student subsidies should fall or be restored to previous levels (adjusted for inflation).

Comment by Quizzical Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 7:16 pm