Watching Shimkus reminds me of the SNL skit where Joh Lovitz played Dukakis in the debate with Bush and said. "I cant believe I'm losing to this guy." I wish somebody could explain to me why this man is still a member of congress.
wordslinger
· 4 months ago
The ball's on the tee, and you might get a hit if it's Blago, Burris and Stroger all the time.
But I'd avoid any bashing that uses the words "Chicago" or "Cook County." People like to rip about where they live, but they don't like to hear others doing it. And remember, what you say anywhere will be picked up everywhere.
A lot of folks who live in the collars consider themselves"Chicagoans," too, by virtue of proximity, work and cultural ties. Stick with the Big Three Infamous personalities and head north by northeast -- that's where you need to pick up votes.
P.
· 4 months ago
Can Matt Murphy smell his district disappearing? Plenty of time for the country club coming soon, Matt.
Just sayin
· 4 months ago
Yet another rigged party election for the Illinois GOP. Anyone who thinks Brady and McKenna hadn't worked this out in advance is nuts.
Every Repulican I've talked to is really annoyed about the way this thing was done. There was zero notice and no other candidates even had a chance to submit their names for party chairman.
This is not how you inspire Republicans to go out and volunteer to win elections.
Shore
· 4 months ago
That was an awful piece of journalism by Charles Thomas. ABC NEWS should be ashamed of it. Right wing, ultra conservative? Get over yourself, focus on issues, rather than dumb liberal media smearing of republicans.
On the flipside, that kind of piece is exactly why these little conservatives are great for Kirk, every time he gets hit by those guys it looks to chicago voters like he's a moderate.
Anonymous
· 4 months ago
Brady is an interestin choice. the next step will be to see if he can unite the conservative and moderate repubs. Mckenna was unable to bring the factions together. if the GOP can unite its factions it can be a game changer; if they stay factionalized like this they will continue to be the party of also ran.
the Dems are also a factionalized paty as well, this is not just a repub issue. In fact, i think the Dems have a lot more factions to juggle then the GOP. BUT the Dems have been doing a better job getting their factions together when it comes time to vote.
Ghost
· 4 months ago
That anonymous is me, forgots me handle
Justice
· 4 months ago
Shimkus has never impressed me and the "just say no" slogan is a bad, bad idea. The Republican party needs a positive slogan, and positive leadership.
As for Brady, we all hope he can pull things together. It will take hard work, a good plan, and a well coordinated effort to win. He seems to be just the person to pull it off.
Conservative Republican
· 4 months ago
Triple kudos to Rich Miller for calling the Trib on its blatant inherent contradiction. Rich has it right when he observes the ILGOP is now acting as it has its you-know-what together by smoothly transitioning to savvy professional Pat Brady. I can't believe the Trib story carried Pearson's by-line, unless Pearson, in typical MSM fashion wants to sabotage the GOP by intentionally slanting the chairmanship change as a negative story. Frankly, McKenna's leadership had been drawing so many critics from so many quarters, he's done the party a great favor by this well timed transition.
CircularFiringSquad
· 4 months ago
Just relistened to the video and noticed Gags said he was a DC prosecutor and an assistant states attorney..the very thorough media did not ask under which SA Whacky Jack O'Malley....hopeful not Dick Devine or Mayor Daley Since he worked with McCain perhaps we can count o Caribou Barbie racing into IL soon.
Steve Downstate
· 4 months ago
Ghost, amen to what you said about Shimkus. My doofus congressman. I cannot refer to him, not once, without calling him a doofus. Sorry. It should be part of his name. At least he isn't quoting the Bible on health insurance, as he did when he argued in a House hearing that we do not need to worry about global warming...since God will decide when the world ends. Sigh.
Beowulf
· 4 months ago
McKenna may like to grandstand a little bit too much but lest there be any doubt, the larger populated Illinois county GOP chairmen knew in advance that Andy was stepping down. It was meant to be an orderly transition (which it was).
Now, it remains to be seen if Pat Brady is simply an Andy McKenna Jr. or is he the long-awaited Messiah ( That GOP leader that can keep his members from cannibalizing themselves). Good luck, Mr. Brady.
All Comments
But I'd avoid any bashing that uses the words "Chicago" or "Cook County." People like to rip about where they live, but they don't like to hear others doing it. And remember, what you say anywhere will be picked up everywhere.
A lot of folks who live in the collars consider themselves"Chicagoans," too, by virtue of proximity, work and cultural ties. Stick with the Big Three Infamous personalities and head north by northeast -- that's where you need to pick up votes.
Every Repulican I've talked to is really annoyed about the way this thing was done. There was zero notice and no other candidates even had a chance to submit their names for party chairman.
This is not how you inspire Republicans to go out and volunteer to win elections.
On the flipside, that kind of piece is exactly why these little conservatives are great for Kirk, every time he gets hit by those guys it looks to chicago voters like he's a moderate.
the Dems are also a factionalized paty as well, this is not just a repub issue. In fact, i think the Dems have a lot more factions to juggle then the GOP. BUT the Dems have been doing a better job getting their factions together when it comes time to vote.
As for Brady, we all hope he can pull things together. It will take hard work, a good plan, and a well coordinated effort to win. He seems to be just the person to pull it off.
Since he worked with McCain perhaps we can count o Caribou Barbie racing into IL soon.
Now, it remains to be seen if Pat Brady is simply an Andy McKenna Jr. or is he the long-awaited Messiah ( That GOP leader that can keep his members from cannibalizing themselves). Good luck, Mr. Brady.