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* Turnout was a bit light yesterday…
If Illinois Republicans looked more unified than Democrats Thursday, perhaps it was because there were fewer of them.
Where 1,500 Democrats packed into a standing-room only banquet hall at Springfield’s Crowne Plaza Hotel on Wednesday, a mere 150 Republicans stood for a gathering in a lobby at the same hotel on Day 2 of the parties’ politicking at the Illinois State Fair.
Where the Democrats had well over 1,000 cheering and sometimes booing members at their State Fair rally Wednesday, Republicans drew a more sedate and mannerly crowd of 350.
350 is a generous estimate…
Unlike the Democrats, the Republicans didn’t bus anybody in, and it showed. They must’ve relied on word of mouth.
* One of the more interesting quotes of the day…
“I don’t know how you go down further,” said DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett, who’s considering a 2010 run for governor or attorney general, offices he’s failed to win before.
November may be instructive.
* Despite the attendance and the lack of overall enthusiasm, GOP leaders did their best to put a positive spin on things…
Republicans are clearly the state’s minority party. Democrats hold every statewide elected office, as well as control of the Illinois Senate and House.
But state Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, noted that after the 1994 election, Republicans dominated state government in the same way that Democrats do now.
“That pendulum eventually swung,” Rutherford said. “I think that the public has now heard the gong of the bell of the swing too far and (is) ready for a correction to come.”
The IL GOP has certainly suffered because of George Ryan, but its biggest problem in the past few years has been President Bush. After he finally leaves, they may have a shot at something.
* Watson attempted to link rank and file Democrats with Gov. Blagojevich…
Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson of Greenville suggested the GOP would link local Democratic candidates to problems at the top of the party, namely the low approval ratings of Democrat Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
He said top Democratic lawmakers should share the low ratings.
“They need to be held accountable and responsible, and so should their members,” Watson said. “And that’s what we’re going to take to them in this November in this election.”
* Remember, though, that whatever Watson and House GOP Leader Tom Cross say about Blagojevich, they’re still wholeheartedly endorsing his capital plan. Sen. Bill Brady offered up some gentle criticism…
Even as Republicans sought to rally around a unity theme with an “action agenda” of principles, some GOP legislators who have spent years castigating Blagojevich for a lack of trust eagerly jumped aboard the Democratic governor’s statewide construction program this spring. Some even went as far as embracing the long-taboo Republican issue of expanded gambling in hopes of bringing some projects back to their districts.
Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington, among several potential 2010 candidates for governor to attend the fair, chided some of his GOP legislative colleagues for backing a Blagojevich-driven construction plan.
“Some of the Republicans have been put into a position to where they feel they’ve got nothing else to do but trust,” said Brady, who has opposed the governor’s construction plans. “Do I applaud our leadership for trying to do something to work across the aisle? Yeah. It’s just not something I would have negotiated or I would have supported.”
* Col. Jack Jackson (retired), a John McCain surrogate, was the keynote speaker…
Jackson said Illinois sent two of the greatest U.S. presidents to Washington, D.C.: Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan.
“I want to tell you something, though. Don’t send me a third,” he said, referring to Barack Obama of Illinois.
I wasn’t sure what he meant by that. Obama would be a great president, so don’t send him? Or, don’t give the country a third Illinois president? Actually, if Obama is elected he would be the fourth. Jackson forgot about US Grant.
* You can listen to audio clips at this link. I thought congressional hopeful Aaron Schock’s speech was surprisingly flat, given that he reportedly still has hopes of being tapped to speak at the GOP national convention.
* Related…
* Britt: Toon about governor and Sen. Jones at state fair’s Democrat Day
* State Republicans’ dream agenda: fight tax increases, look for tax breaks
* Illinois Republicans Endorse Agenda For Action
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 9:27 am
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Anyone know which border state is the most solvent and we could ask them to annex Illinois and throw all of these politician out
Comment by Dan S. a Voter and Cubs Fan Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 9:39 am
Need a pic of the republicans appearing with Blago at the capital plan rallies with the caption: IL GOP, we are for sale for the right price.
Comment by Ghost Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 10:00 am
I am a Republican, and I want to be excited about the prospects for the IGOP, but…
But the party hasn’t given its voters much about which to be excited.
But the party hasn’t grown young candidates.
But–despite the “Action Agenda”–the IGOP has no philosophical foundation upon which it stands. It simply sinks or rises however the sand is shifting.
In a time when the Illinois Democrats are backbiting and infighting and stopping government from working, the Republicans should be in a powerful position to wrest control, but they have too many “buts” holding them down.
Comment by Fan of the Game Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 10:00 am
In the “good old days” the GOP would require tickets to get in. The grassroots GOPers could not attend. People stopped coming out. Now when they need them, they don’t let anyone know they can come. They need Leadership.
Oh, one other reason…people are worried that if they got spotted they would loose their state jobs.
Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 10:17 am
A six-pack would have covered that gig.
Comment by Beerman Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 10:22 am
I have been a Republican for nearly 30 years (since I was 16) but there just isn’t much for me to be exicted about anymore in this State. I am not sure what the Republican party even stands for anymore.
When you have Cross and Watson beating a path to the governors’ door to jump on the capital bill pork train, please excuse me if I don’t fall all over myself to support the ILGOP. The Republicans will never be anything in this state until they start distinguishing themselves from the Democrats instead of trying to look more like them. When all you give voters is a choice between Liberal and Liberal Lite, the Chicago Democrats will choose Liberal and the downstate Conservatives will stay home.
Note to the so-called Republicans running the ILGOP: As long as you keep running the Judy Barr Topinkas and Andy McKennas of the world - we will not support you. Your continuous efforts to pander to the left center have failed miserably election cycle after election cycle and you have effectively alienated fiscal / limited government conservatives like me. Until you come to grips with this, expect turnouts of 350 or less at these functions. We don’t care about the message you are pushing.
If, after 7 years of the Democrats skiballing this state to the bottom of the heap, you still can’t make any headway with voters - it’s time to clean house. You want my vote again? Earn it.
Comment by NimROD Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 10:31 am
There are more Republicans on the CapFax blog today than there were at GOP Day yesterday.
Comment by Bill Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 10:35 am
“Fan of the Game” said it very well.
To elaborate - The “Agenda for Action” covered in the CBS2 piece, it is probably one of the most milktoast proposals I’ve ever seen. A plan like this could only make Mike McCaskey excited. Come on, guys - show some leadership, put out a bold proposal or two. Give us rank and file a reason to be excited. Instead of trying to be like the Democrats - show the State of Illinois voters that there is a better choice.
Comment by trafficmatt Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 10:35 am
Thos pice remind me of the verizon commercial where the majority of the crowd tunr out to be cardboard cutouts.
Comment by Ghost Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 10:36 am
this post would not have been any different if there would have been 5000 R’s there.
Comment by Anon Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 10:45 am
===this post would not have been any different if there would have been 5000 R’s there.===
How do you figure?
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 10:50 am
Maybe the Repubs were all out setting mouse traps.
Comment by Captain Flume Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 10:55 am
Where do you start to rebuild this thing? You have to get a winner.
I guess Plan A would be Pat Fitzgerald doing the White Night thing.
Plan B: What about Peter Fitzgerald? He can run an I told you so campaign and take credit for Pat Fitzgerald. He did win statewide once.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 11:04 am
I’ve said this before…the biggest problem with the ILGOP is that they didn’t throw G-Ryan under the bus when they knew he was going toward his Waterloo. But then again, the party leader was just as corrupt. The only way I see them regaining their stature is to re-build ground up with those in office today that actually stand for something, and try to make a difference. The party needs to get away from the “what can you do for me” strategy of compromise and go toward a “here’s our plan…what’s your’s” style of governing, then debate the thing. The ILGOP cannot just whine about what’s not happening, they better start suggesting real solutions, otherwise those of us who do vote republican will just sigh and hope for next time…in true Cub fashion.
Comment by Bass Man Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 11:06 am
As long as you keep running the Judy Barr Topinkas and Andy McKennas of the world - we will not support you.
People still cannot spell “Baar” after all these years? And McKenna ran once ever.
Comment by T.J. Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 11:10 am
It’s like template responses on any state GOP topic…
If Republicans announce x- then respond on blog that they stand for nothing and they hang out with Rod and JBT.
Any new material out there?
Comment by Easy Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 11:18 am
Why does the GOP not run Raymond Poe?
Comment by Ghost Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 11:19 am
===If Republicans announce x- then respond on blog that they stand for nothing and they hang out with Rod and JBT.===
It was Sen. Brady who brought up Rod, not anyone on the blog today.
Take it easy, Easy.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 11:22 am
==“I don’t know how you go down further,” said DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett, who’s considering a 2010 run for governor or attorney general, offices he’s failed to win before.==
Good question, Joe.
Alan Keyes, Steve Sauerberg, Jim Oberweis, Chris Lauzen, Stu Umholtz, Carole Pankau, and you? The Illinois GOP candidates have been as exciting as white rental fleets of Chevy Astro vans.
Illinois voters have repeatedly shown that they would prefer a rusted out, corrupted, unreliable Democrat to you because failure is more interesting than what the GOP is offering.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 11:35 am
Actually, the Action Agenda is pretty good. I especially like this one:
“Prohibit unpaid obligations of the State from being transferred from one fiscal year to the next, thereby ensuring a true “balanced budget”.”
That’s good for Day One. The question is what do you do on Day Two, when you actually have to live with it? Especially when you have this other action item?
–Protect taxpayers by requiring a three-fifths majority vote for any tax increases.==
Seriously, if you can tell me how to do it, I’m on board.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 11:37 am
===People still cannot spell “Baar” after all these years? And McKenna ran once ever.===
I know it is ‘Baar’; I mistyped. With regards to McKenna, he still ‘runs’ the ILGOP. Right into the ground. It is his (and Judy BAARs) policies that have been in no small measure responsible for the contraction of the Republican party in Illinois. There are those that will blame Bush and/or Ryan, but you have to admit that the Repubs have run some pretty pathetic candidates in the last few election cycles. Alan Keyes anyone?
===If Republicans announce x- then respond on blog that they stand for nothing and they hang out with Rod and JBT.===
Is there anything factually inaccurate about the statements that:
a) The Republicans currently stand for nothing? and
b) They have been climbing into bed with the governor on the capital plan?
If the ILGOP actually does stand for something; I wish someone could clue me in on it. One thing is for certain - the party leadership isn’t doing much of a job of getting their message out to potential voters. What is the platform of the ILGOP? Lower taxes? Less government? Furthering the governor’s agenda? I sure don’t know anymore.
With regards to the capital project, the Republicans SHOULD oppose this bond-debt funded boondoggle that the governor is trying to sell to the voters (especially since the claim of 700k new workers is so far-fetched as to boggle the imagination). Instead, they are in full Ted Stevens mode - grabbing at any tax dollar possible without regard to the eventual consequences. Never underestimate the potential for a desperate politician to sink to new depths.
Comment by NimROD Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 11:47 am
Criticism of the State GOP Leadership is spot on but, in response to this quote:
“Where the Democrats had well over 1,000 cheering and sometimes booing members at their State Fair rally Wednesday, Republicans drew a more sedate and mannerly crowd of 350.”
DO we really want to count bussed in union workers and paid staffers / state employees???
Comment by Reality Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 12:16 pm
NimROD, I agree that the Republicans have run some pathetic candidates. McKenna persuaded Dr. Sauerberg to run for the U.S. Senate, although Sauerberg is pro-choice, pro-gun control, and pro-Hillarycare. McKenna should have remained neutral, before the primary, or supported a candidate who supports the republican platform.
Comment by PhilCollins Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 12:24 pm
Now I’m really glad I stayed at work and didn’t go to this. Ay-yi-yi! What a mess. I’m not even going to comment because I’ve pontificated before as to how awful the GOP leadership is.
One thing I will say is that who would want to come down to Springfield for less than a day from places like Rockford, DuPage County, Joliet, etc.? What reason would someone other than a county chairman, state rep or senator or party official have to make that trek?
What’s really shocking, in my mind, is that Ozinga, Oberweis, Greenerg, et al - McKenna’s “self-funders” - didn’t bring people down. Why not? What a good rallying point. Jack Ryan did it five years ago and it actually created a buzz. I know that probably scares the GOP, but it would be refreshing.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 1:59 pm
Sorry to say it, but the only thing right now more dysfunctional that the Democratic Party controlled state government is the Illinois GOP.
Give me a good reason why we should trade the dysfunctional guys we know for the more dysfucntional ones that we don’t know?
train 111
Comment by train111 Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 2:14 pm
Ummmm…so a losing primary candidate in Missouri is the McCain surrogate the Illinois GOP gets?
Ouch.
Comment by archpundit Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 2:25 pm
I like Vanilla Man’s comparison of the GOP to a fleet of White Chevy Astro Vans. Myself, I prefer this analogy to the GOP: All the charm of an airport waiting room.
Comment by paddyrollingstone Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 2:49 pm
The Illinois GOP is completely dead. It was on life support before, but Andy McKenna and his misfit team pulled the plug back in June at our state GOP convention in Decatur. That shameful affair disgusted even the most optimistic Republicans. Few obviously saw a need to waste their time in Springfield yesterday.
The only hope now is that after the next disaster in November, Republicans will find their spines and kick more of these bums out.
Comment by GOP'er Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 4:29 pm
wordslinger what makes you think Peter Fitzgerald would have anything to do with the current band of miscreants in the Illinois Republican party let alone the lunatics on the national stage? What makes you think Patrick F. wants anything to do with the Republican party these days other than another shot at putting Karl Rove and Kjellander in jail?
Comment by markg8 Friday, Aug 15, 08 @ 11:28 pm
I think that the leadership of the state GOP is more interested in controlling the money flowing from the national party.
Does it matter to them when they and their friend holding campaign contracts reap the financial benefits?
The insiders are aware of how and on whom the money is being spent. And they seem very protective in the intent to keep the status quo.
Whether they win elections or not they benefit from others not gaining access to their spending decisions.
Comment by Not Now Saturday, Aug 16, 08 @ 9:24 am
The GOP need only follow a simple process to rebuild in Illinois, stop supporting or standing up to be counted with corrupt governors, no matter how much money they offer you.
Comment by Ghost Saturday, Aug 16, 08 @ 2:44 pm
This is rife with basic inaccuracy.
With regards to McKenna, he still ‘runs’ the ILGOP. Right into the ground. It is his (and Judy BAARs) policies that have been in no small measure responsible for the contraction of the Republican party in Illinois. There are those that will blame Bush and/or Ryan, but you have to admit that the Repubs have run some pretty pathetic candidates in the last few election cycles. Alan Keyes anyone?
McKenna ran that time, and Topinka fought the Keyes appointment tooth and nail. The chairman has no control over such an appointment.
It was on life support before, but Andy McKenna and his misfit team pulled the plug back in June at our state GOP convention in Decatur. That shameful affair disgusted even the most optimistic Republicans.
The only people who thought that were Ron Paul people who went with intent to sabotage it.
Comment by T.J. Thursday, Aug 21, 08 @ 2:23 am
“T.J.” weighs in with more dishonest gibberish.
“Topinka fought the Keyes appointment tooth and nail.” Actually we have no way of knowing that. After Topinka helped destroy Jack Ryan, she closed all the meetings to pick a replacement. The only people with any say at all were the same 19 State Central members who also picked Topinka to be Chairman, a year or so prior. In other words, her allies. Topinka created such a trainwreck, there was no better candidate to come forward. That Barthwell woman certainly wasn’t. Topinka’s committee went with Keyes out of desperation, desperation they themselves created.
Topinka helped destroy the Republican voters’ choice from the primary, and she didn’t even have anyone ready to replace him! What an irresponsible goofball!
And if Topinka really did “fight tooth and nail” then obviously even her own committee, the very one she chaired, thought she was a joke. Obviously she had lost even their respect by then and even they wouldn’t listen to her.
And here’s more nonsense: “The only people who thought that were Ron Paul people who went with intent to sabotage it.” This “T.J.” loon obviously can’t testify about the “intent” of the Ron Paul folks.
In fact the only disgraceful behavior at that convention was by the misfits “T.J.” is obviously aligned with.
Miscreants like T.J. should really be in the Democrat Party, but of course the Dems don’t want them.
T.J. is a good example of why the Illinois GOP is dead today. The thing finally just collapsed under the weight of all the lies, incompetence and misinformation.
Comment by Take out the trash Saturday, Aug 23, 08 @ 9:54 am