CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Question of the day

Re: Question of the day

YNM — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 19:30:38 -0000

wonderboy ... Ilrino "heard" that ... and that's enough to make it true.

By the way, I'm pretty sure that there are constituents who have had both positive and negative results from both of the Brady's.

BUT, to get back to the original question ... I think Brady is set on running for governor. I think others may try to persuade him to run for Senate, but I'm not convinced he'll be persuaded.

I think Brady *could* win the primary and would be electable in the general ... however, I do believe he will need to temper some of his positions or at least carefully consider how he wants to articulate some of his positions.

I will say, from my experience, while he does have some very strong convictions, I also believe he understands that governing is not necessarily about pushing those convictions on others.

Re: Question of the day

the wonderboy — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 16:01:35 -0000

Ilrino-

Nuff said...you are right. Apparently you can speak on behalf of every mucky muck in McLean County. Thank you for gracing us with you wisdom and insight.

I'll say it again, I think they are both respected and devoted to their constituents. If you feel otherwise, then you are free to voice that opinion. However, please don't pull out an argument based upon "everyone is doing it" logic.

Bill is a man of integrity and doesn't go around slinging mud. We may not all agree with him on every issue, but perhaps we should start looking for leadership with character. That, in my opinion, would go a long way towards changing the direction of things.

Re: Question of the day

NW burbs — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:07:11 -0000

Outsider, who cares if he starts every campaign event with a prayer or not.

Many other candidates do, too. Before his announcement speach in Springfield, Sen. Obama prayed with his pastor (that guy that former Alan Keyes worker Fran Eaton doesn't like). Most (if not all) legislatures start their sessions with a prayer.

Other folks start events by reciting the Pledge or Allegiance or singing the Star Spangled Banner. Still others like to play music to get the crowd psyched up.

This is America. If you want to display your patriotism or your faith or your rock n' roll style ... go for it.

Re: Question of the day

Ilrino — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 13:44:34 -0000

Wonderboy: when any government official, school administrator, etc. in McLean County wants to get something done, they call Rep. Brady.

For them, Senator Brady is an afterthought because he's been ineffective.

'Nuff said

Re: Question of the day

YNM — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 11:00:47 -0000

RAI ... haven't we been through all that rhetoric before? Seriously. Brady was not Oberweis' problem ... and if you or anyone else thinks so, it says more about Oby and his supporters than it does about Brady.

And, ripped, if you're gonna set up fake stuff like that and push it off here where we actually talk about *real* issues, at least post your name instead of being anonymous. That's poor.

Re: Question of the day

RAI — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 10:36:42 -0000

He is the reason we have Blago, because of his ego and his helping Kejellander-celini wing to stop Oberweis. Two years is a long way , He said he had 3 to 5 million "pledged" last time he lied! He said he had polls that showed him leading he got 18% he has run for two big offices and lost Congress and Governor, the last thing we need is a tool of the combine to put them back in power. If he had any guts he would take on Durbin that is where he is needed to help the party. We NEED a Senate candidate not a preening Governor candidate 4 years in advance! But he will put himself ahead of what we really need, just like he did in the last Governors race!

Re: Question of the day

ripped — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 01:42:22 -0000

Good looking? Have you actually *seen* him? Not good looking at all.

Re: Question of the day

ripped — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 01:36:55 -0000

Bill also has his own page on politicalfriendster http://www.politicalfriends...

Re: Question of the day

the wonderboy — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 01:31:17 -0000

Bill isn't well liked in Mclean County and Dan is? Have any of you actually seen the vote totals or spent time in the area? Just wondering if this is based on experience, personal involvement, "word on the street" or what. I tend to think they are both well liked in the area...at least based on vote totals and spending some time in the area while at ISU.

Re: Question of the day

Anon Again — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 01:25:23 -0000

Snowballs chance in hell

Re: Question of the day

Silent Majority — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 00:17:53 -0000

Winning future in politics:
Dan - Yes
Bill - No

Re: Question of the day

Too Many Horses — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 23:42:19 -0000

I hope so. He is awesomely electable -- if the party got behind him he could actually win.

Re: Question of the day

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 23:39:14 -0000

I would say he was the best candidate for Governor this last campaign. He will run again and should the largest Tax increase in Illinois history pass, he will be welcomed with open arms. Possible the Feds will have already opened their arms and welcomed Blago by then as well.

Re: Question of the day

steve schnorf — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 23:26:37 -0000

I like a lot of things about Bill. He is strong in his conservative beliefs, but he doesn't wear them on his shirtsleeve. I have talked to him many, many times over the years, and those aren't the issues he brings up. He thinks and talks about governing things that are very mainstream, such as education funding reform (his plan, which I really havent seen him surface yet, is thoughtful and intriguing).

There are obviously a number of cultural issues that I disagree with him about, but no one should doubt the strength of his convictions. I remember once when I was gently prodding him that to be electable statewide he needed to think about his position on abortion. His response to me, just a couple of sentences, was heartfelt, and I believe, remarkable in it's straightforwardness.

I'm impressed with him, like him, and trust him. He is a classic example of what I believe to be an electable conservative. Most of you know that a big piece of that defintion for me is being able to be conservative without coming across as scary to the great middle.

Re: Question of the day

DuPage — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 22:57:39 -0000

Interesting that 2 seperate posts (Ilrino & anon - at roughly the same time too) note Dan Brady from the same town as Sen. Brady. Too bad more don't recognize the real leaders in GOP circles (eg, Dan) instead of the self-promoting wannabees that seem to keep turning up every couple of years.

Re: Question of the day

decaturboy — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 22:22:13 -0000

Sorry Bill all that is in your future is the state senate. No way you could beat Durbin or whatever for Governor.

Re: Question of the day

no chance — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:52:31 -0000

His so-called good looks will only carry him so far. When moderates discover that Brady is just another cultural warrior, he'll be toast.

Re: Question of the day

Team Sleep — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:46:06 -0000

Yes, Brady will run for governor in 2010. As of right now, the only other Republicans I could see putting their names in the hat are LaHood, Radogno and maybe Rauschenberger. Shimkus would be a good one but he may want to stay in Congress and he won't face a serious challenge until redistricting. Brady is hitting the Lincoln Day circuit and people eat him up. He is easy to like and has the moxie for another stab.

Our budget is in disarray, and our state will be there soon as well. People should realize that Patrick Fitzgerald's win against Scooter Libby, compounded with his top aide's resignation, will give him reason to reopen any cases on Blago and his staff, which will be P-Fitz's new challenge. If Casey and DeFraties win their case, and if the DHS problem is deeper than we know, Blago is a sitting duck. It starts at the top, dudes.

My Dem pals on the blog should wake up and see that the lines have been drawn in the sand. If the governor does not come out of this Spring term intact, the party will suffer. Does that mean certain defeat in 2008? No, but it could lay the groundwork for a backlash in 2010 when some short-term deals have faded and policies have had 3 1/2 years of examination, criticism and, perhaps, failure.

Re: Question of the day

Beowulf — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:36:53 -0000

Is the Pope Catholic? Do bears poop in the woods? Of course he will be running for Governor of Illinois on the GOP ticket next time. The past gubernatorial election was simply his "coming out party" so he could gain much needed name recognition.

Mr. Brady comes across as "the soup that is just right" to steal from the Goldilocks fairy tale. Andy McKenna and the GOP "powers that be" down in Springfield realize that they need a guy who falls somewhere in the middle if they have any hope of winning back the Governor's mansion. Andy McKenna and the Illinois Central Committe will help Mr. Brady come up with the required funds when the right time comes. Bill Brady is their "chosen one". And, this time around, I think that I may be in agreement with them.

Re: Question of the day

bluedog demo — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 19:47:41 -0000

As others have noted Brady is not going to run against Durbin but wait for the governors race. Lisa is going to be " in it to win it " ( sounds familiar ) so he has a huge mountain to climb. His only chance is for Blago, through his continuing stupidity, to have shaved the mountain done to a hill. Lisa's daddy will pull out all the stops to put his daughter in the " mansion " . No matter how much the GOPers in downstate wish for Chicago to go away it ain't gonna happen. When whites flocked to the Repub party during the 70's and 80's that pretty much sealed it for the huge black vote in Chicago being in the Demo camp. Take a gander at the Repub side of the legislature. It is very pale. Brady's sidekick Dan Rutherford thinks the GOPers should reach out to Asian Americans more to build the party and not focus so much on the black and hispanic vote. You do just that Dan and the Dems will continue to blow the GOP out in statewide elections !

Re: Question of the day

anon — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 17:33:10 -0000

There is a Brady from McLean County who could/should be Governor, but his name isn't Billy - It's Dan (Rep from 88th)

Re: Question of the day

Ilrino — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 17:32:13 -0000

Bill is running for governor. Count on it. And he is more popular with the state GOPers than he is in his district, which should tell you something.

His close friends will tell you he's not too sharp and hasn't had a new idea for a long while. Given the paucity of GOP state senators, how many have been in the chamber as long as Brady and still don't have a leadership position? An indication, perhaps, of the esteen in which he's held by his fellow GOP senators?

But he has good political tools (the patter, the smile, the caring look.) Does this remind you of anyone who may be occupying the office at the moment?

The state rep in that district, a different Brady, runs rings around the senator. Outworks him, outthinks him, has better poliitical skills.

But he's not as good looking.

And that appears to be the criteria for electing governors in this state.

Re: Question of the day

Gene Parmesan — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 16:49:07 -0000

Brady isn't exactly fresh off the farm. Believe it or not there are 'urban' issues and diverse populations in Bloomington. Not everything south of I-80 looks like 'Mayberry.'

I take the opposite approach. After all of these new tax proposals and the awful property tax system in Cook County, south and northwest suburbanites may be looking for an 'outsider.' He's in a perfect position to disassociate himself with the current affairs in Springfield.

Re: Question of the day

VanillaMan — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 16:20:45 -0000

I want Brady to become palatable to voters besides Central and Downstate Republicans. Read what I wrote. He needs to be able to meld his beliefs born in Central Illinois to the reality of Chicagoland. He doesn't have to become a Chicagoan, but he needs to respect voters there enough to know how life is outside Hooterville.

I believe in conservative politics. I believe they can be articulated enough to gain favor in cities. What is missing is the ability of conservatives to speak to city voters in a way that sells them on conservative politics.

An Andy Taylor candidate won't sell outside Mayberry. And Brady is about as Andy has I've seen run for statewide office in a long time.

Re: Question of the day

grand old partisan — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 16:05:13 -0000

Cermak,

This is all a very interesting line of thought...

Let me ask you: What if rural, blue-collar, (mostly religious) Ã¢â‚¬ËœtraditionalÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ families downstate refused to support a Chicago Democrat because he/she didnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t Ã¢â‚¬Å“speak their language?Ã¢â‚¬Â That would probably only add to the perception of people like VanillaMan that they are all close-minded hicks who only eat pork products, wouldnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t it?

But if Chicagoans, Cook suburbanites and professional (largely non-religious) dual income families in the collars refuse to accept Brady because he doesnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t Ã¢â‚¬Å“speak their language,Ã¢â‚¬Â then they are.....what? Enlightened progressives?