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Campaign 2010

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* Not too much shocks me these days, but I have to admit that this development did catch me off guard…

Dan Proft secured the endorsement of Schaumburg Township GOP precinct captains in his Republican primary bid for governor. The Chicago resident with suburban ties called Thursday night’s endorsement a “big win” for his campaign.

The Schaumburg Township Republicans have obviously moved far to the right of where they were back in the “good ol’ days” of that organization. Interesting development, to say the least.

* ABC7’s Charles Thomas took a look at petition checkers over the weekend…

Petition checkers at Chicago Election Board might be working overtime this weekend as campaign workers look for reasons to knock candidates off the ballot for races in the 2010 election.

The [checkers are] reviewing petitions, hoping to find reasons to challenge signatures gathered by opposing candidates.

Petition checkers are the secret soldiers of so many political armies. Dozens of people–most of whom would not reveal their names– were using every available computer terminal on three different floors Friday at the Chicago Board of Elections.

When asked what he was looking for, one checker told ABC7 Chicago, “I’d rather not go into the discussion. I’m just following my instructions.”

* Sneed…

Republican gubernatorial hopeful Kirk Dillard politely chided primary opponent Andy McKenna on his “new hair expertise” prior to the GOP gubernatorial candidates debate at the Hilton Chicago Thursday. “I’m amazed he didn’t show up in the ‘Blago wig’ he uses in his commercials,” quipped Dillard.

• $$$$: Dillard and McKenna have heavyweights helping fill their campaign coffers: Dillard has business titans Fred Krehbiel and Ron Gidwitz; McKenna has Craig Duchossois and his wealthy father, Andy McKenna Sr.

* The SJ-R looks at the campaign finance reform bill…

SCENARIO: Donations are coming in quickly to candidates in the final weeks before the election. Candidate A receives more than 20 donations worth $1,000 or more apiece, and another 10 worth between $500 and $1,000. How would those be disclosed?

Reform advocates did make some disclosure concessions.

Right now, in the 30 days leading up to elections, candidates have to disclose any donations they receive of $500 or more within two days of getting those donations. The new law would bump that threshold up to $1,000 or more.

Why? Morrison said it was a calculated move. They traded the higher threshold for year-round reporting in hopes of getting faster information about large donations, which raise more questions about influence peddling.

* My weekly syndicated newspaper column covers much of the same ground that we talked about here all last week…

“Tea party fever” is to the Republican Party what the H1N1 virus is to the general populace. It’s spreading fast and it’s potentially dangerous.

Establishment Republican politicians all over the country are becoming more freaked out by the angry, anti-tax, anti-illegal immigration, anti-Obama, anti-whatever tea party protestors and are mimicking their rhetoric. Even in Illinois, where top GOP politicians mostly took a pass on the harsher aspects of the “Reagan Revolution” rhetoric of the past 30 years - not wanting to alienate the general electorate - the trend is becoming obvious.

At a recent Republican gubernatorial forum sponsored by a tea party group, the normally staid and ever-mainstream conservative state Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) actually called President Barack Obama a “socialist.” Dillard, you may recall, appeared in a TV ad for Obama during the presidential campaign. Dillard revealed last week that he knew Obama was a socialist all along because Obama’s health care proposals in the Illinois Senate were so far to the left. That one left me scratching my head. Why would Dillard knowingly push an obvious commie for president of the United States?

During that same tea party debate, and at another forum two days later, state Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) vowed to stop the federal government from dragging Illinoisans into any federal health care reform plans no matter what. Brady also said the tragic shooting at Fort Hood last week might have been prevented with concealed carry laws, even though the military base is in Texas, a state which allows concealed carry. The very next day, another lone gunman shot up an office building in Florida, killing one and injuring several others. Florida also allows trained citizens to carry concealed weapons.

Also at the tea party debate, DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom, who is the only pro-choice candidate in an otherwise staunchly pro-life group of candidates, denied that humans have anything to do with global warming. The other candidates agreed.

Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna, who hobnobs with more insiders than just about anybody, continued to insist last week beyond all available evidence that he is a true political “outsider.”

Former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan declared that if elected he would roll back the minimum wage by 75 cents per hour.

And then there was Republican Congressman and current U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kirk practically begging for kind words from the far right’s darling, Sarah Palin. Kirk had said some nice things about Palin when she was first named as John McCain’s running mate last year, then flip-flopped and said harsh things, but there he was last week once again cozying up to her.

The politics of this aren’t too hard to figure out, particularly for the gubernatorial candidates. The GOP’s right wing is angry and energized and will vote in comparatively large numbers in the February primary. Alienate them and off the island you go.

Even so, the candidates all need to take a deep breath and try to realize how silly they’ll look to general election voters if they keep this up and do manage to win that primary race. They’re so fearful of being attacked from the right that they’re in danger of making themselves unelectable when the rest of the voting public enters the picture.

On paper, at least, the Republicans have a good chance of winning next year. Disgraced former governor Rod Blagojevich goes on trial in the summer. Both Democratic candidates for governor - Comptroller Dan Hynes and Gov. Pat Quinn - are fighting over who has the “better” tax increase. Every Democratic U.S. Senate candidate has flaws that the GOP can easily exploit.

Also, last week’s national off-year results showed horrific turnout among Democrats and African-Americans in the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial elections. The African-American vote was almost 30 percent lower in Virginia compared with four years ago.

But if the Republicans aren’t careful, they’re going to spout one too many far-right talking points and demonstrate to Illinois general election voters that they can’t be trusted. I know they gotta do what they gotta do to get past the primary, but they need to keep their eyes on the big prize.

* Related…

* GOP gov candidates court Will County

* Governor lauds troops at art exhibit

* A Battle over Unity brewing in Oak Lawn

* Governor candidates split on health care

* Hamos up with pro-public option ad

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 9:41 am

Comments

“But if the Republicans aren’t careful, they’re going to spout one too many far-right talking points and demonstrate to Illinois general election voters that they can’t be trusted. I know they gotta do what they gotta do to get past the primary, but they need to keep their eyes on the big prize….”

Rich, Rich Rich….burping up too many wing nut talking points is what we do….remember how we got ChopperJim up in the chopter to blab about the millions of illegals storming IL..then we had BrickheadJoe and jimRyan ( I always forget who was really in charge) trying again and again to hang an innocent man.
IL GOPs are the party of wing nut remarks. Let us have our moments of joy before those evil CHICAGO Democrats clean our clocks — again.

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 9:51 am
I read recently that Fox News (sic) has a pretty good viewership for cable — 3.3 million steady viewers.

But the US now has over 300 million people. So the wingnuts are a vocal 1%, enough to be a nuisance in Republican primaries, but far from enough to do well nationally.

When will the Republicans learn?

Comment by Capitol View Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 9:57 am
If the rhetoric of the GOP guv candidates is a true reflection of the Illinois GOP base, then why wouldn’t they go with either Proft or Brady?

At least with those two, the base could have some hopes the candidates actually believe what they’re saying, and aren’t just playing them.

Dillard, McKenna, Ryan as red-meat tea-partiers? That’s just a touch cynical, even for politics.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 10:01 am
Years back Joseph McCarthy destroyed himself by keeping on talking and spewing his nonsense. Today with all their accusations of socialism and every other -ism in the book, the tea party movement appears to be heading down the same path. It’s one thing to be mad and make accusations and cticize this or that government move, but another thing to actually govern. Problem for the GOP is that if they do not quickly take charge of their message and allow the tea party-ites to stear the ship, this next election may be pretty painful.
Looking at the IL GOP candidates and their blatant pandering to the tea party movement doesn’t give me any warm fuzzies. I really thought about looking at the GOP candidates in Illinois this year for governor. We do need a change, but have already been turned off to the idea.

train111

Comment by train111 Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 10:03 am
When the federal government started two wars in the Middle East, folks started getting emotional. When the federal government started spending trillions, folks started getting emotional. It goes both ways.

What the Democrats were able to do with their emotional groups was dance with them while telling the general public that they were moderate. What the Republicans have to do is similar. You know, lie, like the Democrats did.

The passion for action is behind those who are against what is happening in Washington now, just as the passion for action was behind those who were against the wars just a year ago. 2009, is definately not 2008.

The independants will decide. Conservatives like me, now are 2 to 1 over liberals in number. So that is a double whammy of twice the numbers plus the passion for change. It is wise for a mortibund GOP to gain in this environment.

Will it work in Illinois? Probably not. The Reagan Revolution passed Illinois by for a reason. This new revolution will do the same. If the Illinois GOP is interested in restoring the political balance in Illinois by holding a few statewide offices, they need to do what the Democrats did so well over the past four years. You know, lie their faces off.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 10:04 am
I wasn’t aware that the debate at the Hilton coincided with a tea party. Let me check my e-mail box…

Comment by John Ruberry Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 10:06 am
A bit off-topic, but I’m curious whether or not the early primary will have an effect on the GOP gubernatorial race. Not much time for the extremists to cool their heels after what will certainly be a contentious health care debate. Could that catapult one of the more hard-core candidates to victory?

And conversely, presuming one of the more conservative candidates wins out, will it hurt their chances in the general?

Comment by The Doc Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 10:08 am
Republicans in our neck of the woods are considered on the left wing of the party, but I’m not upset with the tea party folks. Our leadership has failed us-voters agree or they wouldn’t be voting us out every year-and it’s good to have someone in the party raising heck about it.

the new york times got it right sunday where they identified the tea party movement as about anti-government and spending rather than social issues and I think that’s not going to kill us.

Watching the tape of the homer event proft’s endorsement is no shock, he followed by adam clearly gets the mood of Republicans and conservatives right now better than any of the career politicians.

Comment by shore Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 10:19 am
I’m also really sick of the media hitting everything far right as wrong. The arrogance of the mainstream media publications like the sun-times in condemning conservatives (neil steinberg, laura washington) while the state rots because of democrat leadership is pretty awful and tired.

Comment by shore Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 10:21 am
Being an ineffective insider is not the same as being an outsider.

On the other topic, Alan Keyes got 29% and won 10 counties so clearly there has always been a market for crazy. This is not a new development.

Comment by Scooby Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 10:24 am
–The Reagan Revolution passed Illinois by for a reason.–

Reagan was quite popular in Illinois and everywhere else in the country. It’s those who claimed his name for their alleged “revolution” who have been found wanting.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 10:29 am
Thompson was not a Reagan Republican. He and his staffers were in charge of a moderate Republican administration during the Reagan Revolution. Thompson is a Ford Republican and a moderate. There was no Reagan Revolution in Illinois.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 10:37 am
–I’m also really sick of the media hitting everything far right as wrong.–

Who’s that, the Wall Street Journal, the largest circulation political newspaper in the country? Fox, the highest-rated cable news network? Rush, the biggest name on radio?

You have to put that one away. The whining is unseemly.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 10:39 am
I’d submit there was Reagan, and then there those who glommed on to him for their own purposes. They were successful in some places for a while, but not in others.

But the Reagan Revolution? What was that? I missed something. Oh, right. The era of big government is over.

Like Nixon once said, “watch what we do, not what we say.”

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 10:43 am
===They’re so fearful of being attacked from the right that they’re in danger of making themselves unelectable when the rest of the voting public enters the picture.===

BINGO! You hit the nail on the head with just that one line. The H1N1 lead was good, but this is really what its all about.

Comment by Deep South Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 10:46 am
wow…what a shocker…Dillard was in the Sneed column.

Comment by Easy Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 10:47 am
Re: Proft, I have to say (and count me as among those who strongly reject the “purity test” of tea partiers), his sharp, strong rhetoric is backed-up by equally strong substance. I like what Proft is saying and appreciate the clear effort he has put into his public policy research. His presentation is far more impressive than any other candidate seeking the nomination (hence, no surprise he picked up the endorsement). Trouble is, to your point, Rich, Dan’s CV is loaded with credentials that make him a logical tea party host (or even party chairman), not so much a unifying force of change in Springfield. Combine Proft’s passion and intellect with stature and accomplishment and you’ll find a viable candidate to rebuild the GOP in IL. Either that or have Santa Claus run with Proft as his LG running mate…

Comment by Watching closely Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 10:55 am
The comment from Ricky Hendon ” Im not complaining, its just a part of the war”, how does this guy lie so straight faced ? It is obvious that Ricky called Tillmen, for what other purpose than to play the “poor me” victim card. This guy would be good on ESPN’s ” Full Tilt Poker”.

Comment by Stallion Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 11:10 am
Dan Proft is the only candidate on either side of the aisle that seems to actually believe what he is saying. I will vote for him in the primary.

If nothing else I know Proft would obliterate either Quinn or Hynes in a debate, and the entertainment value of that would be worth the price of my vote.

It really does not matter anymore, a democrat will win again, and it will be more of the same in November 2010 and into the future. As I have said before, its time to hit the lifeboats.

Comment by Speaking at Will Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 11:22 am
Not that anyone cares, but the blog posting of “Speaking at Will” are now going to be posted under my new moniker. “Moving to Oklahoma”

Comment by Moving to Oklahoma Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 11:24 am
I am one IL GOPer who welcomes conservative positions issued by IL candidates FOR ONCE. Why do you think we keep losing in IL? The GOP offers nothing to IL voters, but Dem lite. Topinka was an awful candidate last time around.

It is clear that IL did not get on the train of the Reagan Revolution. They have lost power since. Peter Fitzgerald was our last statewide conservative. I want more like him.

Yet, it’s too bad none of the talking points are genuine. You can tell because the candidates over-reach and make nonsensical statements. Andy’s my guy, but I guess he doesn’t stand a chance.

Comment by Peggy Far South of I-80 Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 11:33 am
[…] Rich Miller has a warning for Illinois Republicans: Establishment Republican politicians all over the country are becoming more freaked out by the angry, anti-tax, anti-illegal immigration, anti-Obama, anti-whatever tea party protestors and are mimicking their rhetoric. Even in Illinois, where top GOP politicians mostly took a pass on the harsher aspects of the “Reagan Revolution” rhetoric of the past 30 years – not wanting to alienate the general electorate – the trend is becoming obvious. […]

Pingback by Peoria Pundit » ‘Tea Party’ movement has state GOP moving to the right Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 11:39 am
I am going to leave Peggy’s post alone, though it is wrought with misinformation.

Will County values are American values. Will County folk are very practical and no nonsense in our political leanings. That’s why our County board is not blasted on TV news programs *knock on wood* for scandal and corruption night after night.

Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 11:50 am
Yikes..Commando “Crusts” Kirk has made to 2 Top Ten List where GOPers are in trouble because of the wing nut situation that lifted off from NY last week.
OMG and I bet they didn’t even know about CaribouBarbie stunt yet….Yikes.
Could Pat Hughes be the new GOP front runner???

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 11:59 am
I was reffering to the chicago media which generally treat conservatives like a disease. They’ll spend years on the olympics but won’t give 5 minutes into understanding the who what where when why of a tea party member. As a moderate, I’ve been skeptical of proft, but I’d much rather have a republican down there banging heads.

The dillard comment in Rich’s column was good. He’s starting to sound like McCain after he picked Palin-dillard 1.0 was an experienced hand, dillard 2.0 is a tea party member in good standing. dillard 3.0 will be?

It’s also interesting that proft’s running around the state railing at the system and yet he’s advised many of these springfield candidates like coulson in the past.

Comment by shore Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 12:31 pm
Why does the Proft endorsement surprise? Have you not listened to any of the debates or read the emails. Proft is the only candidate on either side who has a clear grasp of the issues and clearly articulates it.

War Proft!

Comment by WTH Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 12:42 pm
As many now recognize, the Tea Party movement is not a social conservative grassroots phenomenon, though many try to either portray it that way, or lead it that way, all for their own purposes. At it’s true “root” it is libertarian, though even that term has many shadings, and many social conservatives go to Tea Party events.

While the Tea Party movement will either be a transient political phenomenon that will have it’s effect of permanently altering the Republican party, by the emergence of a third “Libertarian” wing to go with the Moderates and Conservatives, or morph into a true Libertarian Party (not the strange little Libertarian Party that exists today), the underlying anti-government public sentiment should not be underestimated. GOP candidates certainly are not doing so.

No one should be dismissive of Dan Proft. Yes, he has baggage from past employment, and yes, his personal style can be annoying, but he also has the most data and the most fully reasoned out proposals in the GOP primary, whether you agree or disagree with them. He also is the only one seriously talking about a fundamental change in State government, education, and the like. He is gaining repect in this primary. The Schaumburg endorsement was no fluke.

Comment by Bubs Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 12:47 pm
Proft is young, intelligent and Articulate. he may be as far right as any of them, but does not come across as such. he believes and can argue his beliefs intelligently and passionately.

He does have skeletons, namely his work in Cicero. As some reporter alluded, he is stealing from the poor brown (skinned) people there. Perception is a hard thing to defeat

Comment by Wumpus Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 1:12 pm
I often hear conservatives complain about how the IL GOP is not conservative enough, has never done anything for them,that the IL GOP needs candidates who lean farther to the right, etc. It seems to me that such people should stop blaming their party. The bottom line is that a majority of IL voters are not interested in a right wing nut. When those candidates have gone on the ballot (such as Keyes or Oberweis), they were crushed. You are basically asking the IL GOP to sell something that nobody wants to buy.

Comment by nice kid Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 1:29 pm
Rich:

Is it true the state came up with $6 million to help finish the Musuem of Broadcast Communications in Chicago. The site is an eyesore, and the musuem deserves a fitting home, but I am surprised they are coming up with this money with the way the economy is. Phil Rosenthal at the Trib is saying Bruce Dumont announced it at a dinner over the weekend specifically thanking Cullerton & Quinn.

Comment by Niles Township Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 1:54 pm
===========
Could Pat Hughes be the new GOP front runner???
===========

No.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 1:56 pm
“When those candidates have gone on the ballot (such as Keyes or Oberweis), they were crushed. You are basically asking the IL GOP to sell something that nobody wants to buy.”

Keyes is an exceptional case. Some of the Republican stay at homes or anti-Keyes may have had to do with the way Ryan was forced off the ballot.

As to Oberweis, the Combine never let him have a chance to be the general election nomineee. He never had a chance to show how he would do state-wide.

The special election was a precursor to the 2008 general election. The outcome had as much to do with the anti-Bush sentiment regarding the economy and Iraq as anything else. Also, the other Republican basically pulled a Dede on Oberweis by withholding his endorsement.

With Proft the conservatives will finally get a chance at the general.

Since Hughes has dropped out, Kirk has clear sailing. But, he would be the biggest fool if went center instead of staying to the right.

The landscape is littered with Patsies who tried to please the liberals and the main stream media as to what Republicans should stand for.

Patsies like McCain don’t even know that they were patsies.

Comment by True Observer Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:01 pm
RE: Will County Woman. I made no comments about Will County.

Comment by Peggy Far South of I-80 Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:05 pm
Anecdotally Dan Proft seems to be gaining traction in the north suburbs as well. A north shore friend who met Proft recently at a New Trier Repub. event came away very impressed and has been spreading the word. This friend is an east coaster by birth and is about as cynical about Illinois politics and government as one can possibly get. His assessment was that Proft picked up a fair amount of support that day. Also, Proft signs have just appeared in the front yards of two of my neighbors who live just over the Lake County border–people whom I do not recall ever having planted political signage before for any past election. Don’t know if it’s relevent but these two neighbors both head or manage what would be considered medium sized businesses headquartered in Illinois.

Comment by Responsa Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:08 pm
=============
Some of the Republican stay at homes or anti-Keyes may have had to do with the way Ryan was forced off the ballot.
==============

There was a huge difference between Ryan and Keyes, and people didn’t want to vote for Keyes.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:08 pm
========
Since Hughes has dropped out, Kirk has clear sailing.
========

Huh? Sorry, did I miss something while away today?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:16 pm
===Since Hughes has dropped out, Kirk has clear sailing.===

Hughes did not drop out. Where did you get that?

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:17 pm
NT, that’s capital money, not operating budget money.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:19 pm
========
Patsies like McCain don’t even know that they were patsies.
========

Wow, True Observer, between this statement and the last one, one of us must need another cup (or pot or two) of coffee.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:21 pm
=======
Hughes did not drop out. Where did you get that?
=======

I pulled it from True Observer’s 2:01.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:22 pm
Rich, can you slap True Observer on the wrist before someone accuses others of spreading these types of rumors, please?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:24 pm
NT, that’s capital money, not operating budget money.
————–

I know, but we seem to have more than a few capital needs.

Comment by Niles Township Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:24 pm
Will County Woman, there is more corruption on the Will County Board than you could ever imagine. Unfortunately, the Joliet Herald sNews lacks the guts to report on it, and the other papers have enough Chicago-based antics to focus on. Kristen McQueary ran a piece called “How to Grease the Skids in Will County” that did not even scratch the surface.

Comment by nice kid Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:30 pm
Bubs, thats about right. Tea party fever isn’t social conservative centric, although there are many involved. It is libertarian in more of a German Free Democrat Party way than a US Libertarian Party way, which is more pragmatic and moderate.

There is a “fever” aspect of it that will probably die down, but I think this is a deeper movement than is being recognized. Perhaps not all too dissimilar to our own independence movement of years past, as the tone does suggest.

The tea party movement is not about abortion and immigration and gays and killing terrorists and prayer in schools and all the typical social conservative issues. This is much more of a fiscal conservative and individual rights movement where social conservatives do not automatically allign and often do not agree.

Its not abortion and immigration, the issues of Keyes of Oberweis. sorry nice kid, but you’ve got that pegged wrong.

This movement is more about exposing a government that seems to be taking advantage of its citizens more than it is helping them. A similar view of government was shared by Americans in the late 1700s. It wasn’t one or a few issues then, it was more of a general sense that the British government had too much power and had gone too far with it. Not to suggest at all this will lead to revolution or violence like it did then, only to point out more clearly what issues are driving this movement. Instead of revolution, this may lead a new Free Democrat type party, a new “special interest” group inside the GOP changing their focus, or any number of other avenues being used. Whatever route it goes, I think it will be around for a while and is deeper than a “fever”.

Comment by TaxThePoor? Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:37 pm
The Peoria Journal-Star had some flyby comment about Hughes pulling out of the race, but it was not sourced and seemed so clearly a mistake, even I didn’t jump on it.

Here it is:

http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1659497141/Word-on-the-Street-Budget-cuts-hotel-not-linked

I’ve not heard it anywhere else, so I am assuming they got Hughes confused with Eric Wallace, who did drop out. But that’s all I know, and I don’t have enough time to follow Hughes around to find out what he’s up to every minute.

Comment by Team America Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:37 pm
I’ve always suspected–and said–that alot of the undecided vote in polls probably belongs to Proft. Some are folks who just don’t know anything about him, and others are those who do and have been watching to see how he’s going to campaign.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:40 pm
Ah, I just went back and looked, and the Journal Star corrected its article since early this morning, which originally said “Attorney Patrick Hughes already has withdrawn his bid for the Republican nomination in the crowded race.” They did not note the correction, however.

So, as I indicated, it was clearly a mistake, although they were confused about Hughes’ on-again, off-again petitions, not confusing him with Wallace.

Comment by Team America Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:41 pm
Ah, and now I see that Rich has already explained all of this on the top post regarding challenges. Sorry, Rich, I’m playing catch-up today.

Comment by Team America Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:43 pm
TA, that obviously had to do with filing, which everyone already knows about–and who cares?

True Observer isn’t Charlie or Jon is he?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:43 pm
Anonymous, that’s a very strange thing to say all around.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:45 pm
Anon, that’s what I figured from the original story this morning, and like I said, it was so clearly a mistake I didn’t even find it worth a comment or a post on my blog. But it’s been corrected now.

Comment by Team America Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:45 pm
Rich, would you please consider deleting all of these “drop out” posts?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:49 pm
You’re right, Rich. Deepest apologies to everyone for my 2:43, second sentence.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 2:51 pm
I was leaning Dillard and Kirk. In part becuase I liked the old system where we had balance with one party in the executive and another in the GA; Dillard has alot of institutional knowledge etc. And I thought Kirk could b counted on to do the right thing, like cap and trade, and would not be controlled by a far right agenda.

The GOP has convinced me that however bad things are now with all dem’s, they would be worse if I went with a GOP canidate. In short, they talked themselves out of my vote.

Comment by Ghost Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 3:13 pm
The 6 million dollars for a broadcasting museum is a stunning waste of money. The state cries broke, says it needs to raise taxes then funds this junk. I’m sure families in Illinois could find a lot better ways to spend 6 million than on an exhibit about 1940’s microphones. They should raise the money themselves.

Comment by shore Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 3:36 pm
hey shore, is that museum in a TIF district? Why didn’t Daley use TIF money for it, like he did with $28 million to fix up the Willis Tower for United Airlines?

A government that seems to be taking advantage of its citizens to benefit a privileged class more than it is helping those in need.

Comment by TaxThePoor? Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 3:55 pm
All this talk about Proft gaining traction because he got a twp. GOP endorsements is ridiculous. The State GOP is sad, but they are not going to nominate a political consultant to be their nominee for Governor. The days that twp. organizations can deliver votes en masse in a primary are long gone. This stuff is insider baseball. At the end of the day, Proft, who had a devil of a time even getting signatures to get on the ballot, will not have the money or organization to go anywhere.

Comment by LincolnLounger Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 4:31 pm
Lincoln Lounger,

You could well be right on Proft, but the 2010 GOP Gubernatorial is a strange race so far, and certainty is in very short supply at this point. It has been and remains wide open, which is what lured Andy McKenna and Jim Ryan into filing.

The polling is surprisingly flat, with no commanding frontrunner, though most see Kirk Dillard as slightly ahead right now - if anyone can be said to be “ahead” given the huge amount of undecided voters. It is even possible that 25% could win this thing, but I think the field will shake out a bit by New Years (but only a bit, since there is so much self-financing going on.)

I personally think it will be an entertaining barnburner by late January, as the cards begin to fall.

Comment by Bubs Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 4:55 pm
Yeah, all the Proft comments here are by himself anyway. Read between the lines on the comments above - they are all Proftesque for sure.

Comment by Anony Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 5:02 pm
With the demographics in America changing quickly the GOP ( grand ole palefaces ) have an image problem. Dems have a sordid reputation but the GOPers are not inclusive and that will stymie them in Illinois and beyond.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 5:06 pm
===
All this talk about Proft gaining traction because he got a twp. GOP endorsements is ridiculous.
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My opinion re: the polls doesn’t have anything to do with the endorsement, and I can’t even say whether the undecided votes would go for or against Proft at this point. Furthermore, alot has happened since the last major poll I saw.

My opinion is based on the fact that Proft is fairly well-known on the R side–and in the beginning, many who knew of him (and even knew him well) didn’t know what to think of his candidacy. Now that he’s had an opp to get out there as a candidate, people who might have been undecided overall because of the “Proft factor” will have an opinion.

Just sayin. One shouldn’t underestimate how well-known he is for a first-timer.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 5:09 pm
Anonymous 5:06, please get another handle. That one’s taken. Thanks.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 5:09 pm
“Furthermore, alot has happened since the last major poll I saw.”

Correction.

Nothing has happened since the last poll. No one has caught on.

That’s why Proft has an opportunity to break through.

Comment by True Observer Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 5:35 pm
So, to all of you Proft supporters talking up this endorsement in Schaumburg, since Brady won Elk Grove Township and Barrington Township endorsements, does he receive the same props you’re giving Proft for winning Schaumburg?

That’s what I thought.

Comment by Anon Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 7:32 pm
Dan, was that last one you? lol

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 8:28 pm
Anon 5:09, you’re making the classic mistake that GOP organizations that endorse actually can deliver. Very rarely, if ever, happens anymore — especially in a statewide race. Getting known to party activists is helpful and these endorsements are an ego boost (like Proft needs more of that), but they need money and organization to deliver message. Proft won’t have either. The conservative “leadership” in Illinois all hates each other, and Proft helped create many of those divisions. Proft’s candidacy is nothing more than self-indulgence, and he will be MIA when it comes to providing significant assistance to whomever the voters nominate.

Comment by LincolnLounger Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 10:06 pm
He’s doing much better than I had ever expected, LincolnLounger, and I might be dead wrong on this one, but I don’t think he’s going to come in as low as many are expecting.

And with all due respect, I do hope you’re wrong on the last point. He seems to be doing a pretty good job of transitioning from consulting to actually running for office, and I think he has great potential.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 9, 09 @ 11:59 pm
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Nothing has happened since the last poll. No one has caught on.
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Sorry, I missed your earlier comment, or it posted late:

Really? You’re missing the point.

Proft has always been my dark horse, and that still stands. Right office…right time….he’s an asset.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 2:41 am