CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Question of the day

Re: Question of the day

Confused Republican — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 21:19:26 -0000

Does anyone really care what Jim Oberweis thinks or says? Back to the drawing board.

Re: Question of the day

Middle Road "R" — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 11:43:56 -0000

Instead of looking at doing what is best for "the party," how about looking at doing what is best for "the people?" I am a long time Republican, and the Dems have done very well with this. They are in touch with the voters. They know what they want, and they cater to them.

I think Ray LaHood said this - revamp and return the power to the State Central Committee. Stop with the highest ranking statewide official being the standard-bearer. Get it back towards a grass-roots level and get in touch with the voters.

Say what you want about the Democrats, but they won. They must be doing something right.

Re: Question of the day

steve schnorf — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:10:15 -0000

Sloopy, I now see two differences between us. One, I post under my real name, while you don't. Two, I learned long ago that neither party has a monopoly on virtue or good people. Mike Madigan would be welcome in my Republican Party (not that he would ever take me up on it), and if you know anything about him you'll know why I say that.

I've voted for every Republican candidate for President, starting with Richard Nixon. I've voted for every Republican candidate for Governor of this state at least since Ogilvie, I've voted in every Republican primary since at least '76. I've walked precincts, worked at headquarters, contributed money, but I make no bones about believing that, at this moment,right now in Illinois, "Thank God for Michael J. Madigan". He may be all that stands between us and the abyss.

Re: Question of the day

anon — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 23:24:51 -0000

"Lincoln is the GOP."

Perhaps that makes sense... the GOP, like Lincoln, is dead.

Re: Question of the day

Tedbaxter — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 19:02:25 -0000

Lincoln is the GOP

Re: Question of the day

RAI — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 13:10:54 -0000

Hey! It was the Republicans who threw out these RINO's. The fact JBT was put into place by Edgar (that means Jim Thompson, celini, Kejellander...etc) They were fed up! For years the base did as it was told those days are over. the problem we as the GOP base has is the media. This moderation talk is from the most liberal democratic people in the country and we as the GOP are supposed to listen? The Chicago Tribune is as bad as Mayor Daley in their liberal views. Less than 10 days before the primary they released a poll saying Oberweis was down 15 points! As we know it was under7 does that hurt a campaign? The Tribune is pro illegal immigration, pro choice, pro gay rights anti traditional marriage and yet it is seen as a Republican paper?
THE GOP AS WE KNEW IT IS DEAD! Now it is time to get out and let people know that there are people and candidate who actually believe in something , not stuffing their pockets

Re: Question of the day

Squideshi — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 12:03:05 -0000

Anon 3:57 wrote, "Squideshi, ideas like that are why Greens never win anything."

No. Fear of the so-called "spoiler effect" is what prevents most people from voting Green. In regard to Instant Runoff Voting, it was undefeated in 2006. To quote the Center for Voting and Democracy, "Since instant runoff voting's ground-breaking win in March 2002 in San Francisco, it has been on the ballot in eight cities and counties. The result? 8-0."

Re: Question of the day

Toxman — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 10:44:38 -0000

Based on this last election it seems simple to me - Raise more $$$. It is obvious, and sad, that the candidate with the most $$$ wins.

Re: Question of the day

BW — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 10:08:49 -0000

posted by GW a while back was a comment calling on getting the YR and CR's involved. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THIS PARTY NEEDS TO DO. The YR's are the future of this party like it or not, and given the massive failures of the old guard our time to lead is now. Perhaps next time before employees of the IL GOP call the YR's useless they should ask what exactly their great use has been this year. Now is the time to shape the future of this party and for all of those who truly want to save it, start working with those younger generations. Thanks GW for hitting the nail on the head.

Re: Question of the day

T.J. — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 07:49:50 -0000

1. Bob Kjellander
2. Jim Edgar
3. Brenda Edgar

Until they are out of the picture, there is no hope for the party. None whatsoever.

Re: Question of the day

Angie (post-script) — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 01:30:53 -0000

Perhaps trying to talk some sense into the liberals on some key issues might help. I mean, if we're going to have them in charge of Illinois, then perhaps the only solution is to get them debating some stuff amongst themselves until hopefully, some more sensible centrist D's decide to put some common sense into action.

Let's all infiltrate their sphere of influence, pose as D's, and argue the worst positions (the 2nd Amendment is outdated or money grows on trees and can fund every program they dream up from now until all eternity, for just a couple of examples).

The stealth strategy. Divide from within!

Just an idea, albeit a tad Machiavellian.: )

Re: Question of the day

Angie — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 01:21:48 -0000

[Start in the colleges, with idealistic students as well as academics, get them engaged in driving the new party agendas, in finding a new path.]

Start in the colleges??? Are you nuts? You get two choices in the colleges and universities:

1. Left

2. Even farther Left.

Where the heck are they going to find mentors to work with when all of the academics are out there constantly trying to convert them to more and more Leftism?

Academia is the LAST place to look towards.

I just transferred schools to go to a better one and get a fancier name on my degree, turning down a fully renewable scholarship that I won from a school within 20 minutes driving distance of my house, and it was because I took business-oriented courses and instead had to listen to some schmoe ramble on and on an on about how America is a racist, sexist, homophobic, ecocidal Satan. My whole class gave the idiot completely negative reviews, and they invited him to come back and teach more classes! If this is how they run the business programs, then what does that say?

No one learned much, it was all someone's personal political and social agenda, and so I have no faith in the answer being found in academia.

Re: Question of the day

Levois — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 01:00:19 -0000

Hoosier Daddy, I'd add one more thing. Recall initiative.

Re: Question of the day

Smitty Irving — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:13:01 -0000

To Honest Abe and fellow travellers -

Illinois will not elect a true conservative to statewide office - period - end of statement. And, for that matter, Illinois will never elect a true liberal governor, either. US Senator, yes, but not Governor. Illinoisians want practical people - and that means conservatives who think the answer to all problems is banning abortion and allowing concealed carry will get creamed. In 1986, Judy Koehler got about 35% against Alan Dixon. In 2004, Keyes got 27%. Face it, barring 4 candidates, a dead candidate, or the mythological live little boy / dead lady in bed, a conservative cannot get elected statewide. Conservatives need to enter into a REAL relationship with the moderates and business interests, not the fake one Thompson / Edgar / Ryan / Cellini / Kjellander sold them. And until they do, the only way a Dem loses is due to scandal.

Re: Question of the day

NEWGOP — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 23:52:57 -0000

Where are the good minority candidates in the party - how about an African American, a Hispanic or even an Asian person running- something different. It may be good to have an Asian at the helm of the party - something different.

Re: Question of the day

MinGOP — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 23:38:32 -0000

Its both though -policy is one thing but we don't have the right candidates who are prepared, who can inspire others and who can lead. If Topinka is our best candidate to run against Blago and Edgar was the one that we wished would run - we are in deep trouble. Look across the board at our Republican Candidates - the only person that was close to even beating their opponent was Radogno and partly its because Madigan hates Alexi. (Can you blame him?)

We need LEADERSHIP!!!!! Right now we don't have any. Not McKenna, not Roskam, not Murphy, not Topinka.

Re: Question of the day

Way Northsider — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 23:34:42 -0000

Obviously the Republican party won't do it but, until they stop opposing a woman's right to choose, gun control and equal rights for all, they can do little else to succeed. Thus, they are doomed to fail. It is the policy positions and the paucity of ideas, not the poor quality of candidates that are at fault.

Re: Question of the day

NEWGOP — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 23:33:58 -0000

We need new blood in the Illinois Republican Party. Lets form a new GOP Party - get rid of the old established guard -

Re: Question of the day

MinGOP — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 23:32:19 -0000

I think that we need to find good candidates who have a proven track record and who will represent the GOP well. Right now all we have are a lot of has beens who are there to promote each other or fight among themselves. Forget Topinka, Cross, Ryan, Murphy, even Roskam. Find good diverse candidates - young candidates who can give energy to the party and to the state.

Re: Question of the day

Way Northsider — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 23:25:42 -0000

Anon 6:34 - It is not the democrat party but the Demoncratic party.

Re: Question of the day

anon — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 23:04:10 -0000

Lincoln would be proud to live in a blue state.

Re: Question of the day

HoosierDaddy — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:36:59 -0000

Well said, KrispyKreme. I wish that you and like-minded Dems could join with me and like-minded Repubs and sort this mess out. I suppose Poshard's too old to run?

One platform we voters ought to demand is:

-- Term Limits (sweep em out by force)
-- Campaign Contribution Limits
-- Ethics laws (no ex legislators for lobbyists and no gifts from lobbyists or state contractors, period)
-- 'None of the above' ballot choice

VOTE WHIG, WIN IN '10!

Re: Question of the day

Krispy Kreme — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:14:00 -0000

As semi hard core dem on national races and a cross voter on local issues and candidates, I can tell you, if you would have put up someone who was an original, not attached to the old party I would have voted for them. Reading the rants about Rod going to jail soon and all the other rhetoric did not help. Not when the last republican governor is in jail. This seems to be a fact often over looked by many party faithful while they throw stones. Also the Keys mess and JBT having a hand in that was a large factor. Indeed there is hypocrite in my vote. Why did many of us hold Bush responsible for the war yet not Rod for the mess here? 6 years Vs 4? Weak excuse. However, the facts cannot be ignored. The country spoke loud and clear for change, yet Illinois kept the status que. From Smikus to Rod. Look to the future, beyond our own back yards. More in the middle.

Re: Question of the day

the wonderboy — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 21:21:21 -0000

Not sure that the hangover days are the best time to come up with a plan for the future...so I'll just respond to other comments.

Brady is a RINO? And as much as I can't stand Oberweis, how can you call him a RINO? Please try to understand the acronym before using it.

As for the earlier comment regarding Schock and not letting him be tainted by the current Rep. leadership...too late. Schock has already buddied up with Hastert, Rutherford, Cross and the boys.

It's great to talk about future direction, but I honestly think it's too soon. It's times like these that lead teh ILGOP to think that Oberweis and Keyes are good candidates.

Re: Question of the day

Daxx — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 21:12:13 -0000

Bottom line is this,

Chicago calls the shots. If you can't carry chi-town, your doomed.
The R's next opportunity will be after Lisa and when the Dems run a canidate that the mayor doesn't like, for example Poshard.
Next time the Dems split a primary and send up a dem that Daley can't work with will be the next opportunity for a R gov.
Until then, it is hopeless.