* This may be a bit of a misdiagnosis…
A lion of the Illinois Republican Party called the state GOP organization “weak” in a blunt assessment of how much Republicans still must do to rebuild from the ruin left by George Ryan’s corrupt tenure as governor. […]
“That’s why we don’t have a constitutional office in Illinois, we don’t have a senator in Illinois, because our organization has been weak,” said [ormer U.S. House Minority Leader Bob Michel] […]
“All the polling ahead of time doesn’t mean two hoots unless you have the ground forces to get the vote on Election Day, and we just haven’t had that the last several years,” Michel said.
* And there was some disagreement…
“I think he’s talking about the past. He certainly can’t be talking about today,” said Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson (R-Greenville). “We’ve had our problems. There’s no doubt about the fact we have. But we are rebuilding, and I think that’s what he was talking about.”
* Retiring congresscritter Ray LaHood, who took Michel’s House seat, mentioned the obvious…
U.S. Rep. Ray Lahood, speaking after Michel, said the party must broaden its base.
“You can’t win in these congressional districts and you can’t win in Illinois with just Republicans,” Lahood said, adding that the party can win back statewide offices only by recruiting candidates capable of reaching out to Democrats and independents.
“This is not to give up on principle and not to give up on philosophy,” said Lahood, of Peoria, “but to recruit candidates who can say, ‘This is what we believe in, and we know there are discerning Democrats and independents who believe the same thing that we do.’ “
* Cross and Watson also chimed in…
“Anybody who has spent any time focusing in what has been going on in Illinois in the last six years can’t make a single case for explaining to me why anybody in this state would vote for a Democrat in Illinois politics,”Cross said.
Republicans must give residents reasons to vote for them that go beyond dissatisfaction with Illinois Democrats. He cited this party’s “agenda for change,” which includes creating jobs, shoring up ethics law and making college more affordable. He said party leaders have not written off the November elections even though Chicagoan Barack Obama tops the Democratic ticket.
Citing Chicago school reform and welfare reform, Watson urged delegates to tell voters that Republicans made progress on issues when they controlled both legislative chambers and the governor’s office in the mid-1990s.
* Leader Watson also tried a group hug….
State Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, of Greenville, took the makeshift stage at the final morning breakfast for the Illinois delegation and hugged state Rep. Jim Durkin of Westchester, his co-chair for U.S. Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign in Illinois.
“You know what the difference is? We mean it. We mean it,” Watson, who sounded possibly a bit overcaffinated, shouted to the audience. Then, inspired by the moment, he challenged the crowd.
“Why doesn’t everybody just get up and hug their neighbor, huh? Let’s talk about togetherness. Let’s get together. Grab your neighbor and hug. There’s nothing wrong with that. Let’s have some excitement around here,” Watson chanted to the audience.
“Let’s show the Democrats they’re not the only ones that can do the hugging. Republicans love each other. We can be all about togetherness. We can move ahead. We’re going to take this nation back. Let’s get together,” he said.
After members of the audience stood to hug their neighbors, Watson laughed and said, “I’m glad to see that actually worked. … “I’m shocked. I didn’t think it would actually work.”
* Meanwhile, back in Chicago, Mayor Daley scoffed at former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s claims about the Chicago machine…
“I don’t know where we get this, this idea that there’s a big Democratic machine going on. Chicago and the metropolitan area is very Democratic and the state is. There’s no, this machine. I thought it was laughable.”
Huh?
* National conventions are usually an occasion to float one’s name for higher office. Illinois Chamber president Doug Whitley is the latest to say he is mulling a bid for governor…
On Thursday [Whitley] informed the Springfield-based business group’s board that he is forming an exploratory committee to run as a Republican for governor in the 2010 election, and the chamber issued a statement saying it is “supportive” of the move.
“It’s safe to say I’ve definitely been considering it and giving it a lot of thought,” said Mr. Whitley, 58. “Republicans need to find fresh blood and fresh faces.”
* But not everybody was pleased with the news…
“They have no idea what they’re getting into,” said U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria, who is not running for re-election this year. “They should start out running as a precinct committeeman. You can’t start out in the top job.”
* Jim Edgar warns in a Daily Herald story about possible contenders…
“It is one thing to talk about running for governor. It is a whole different thing to do it.”
* Here are a few more quotes from that Daily Herald story about possible statewide candidates…
[House GOP Leader Tom Cross] said running for statewide office is something he “will give serious thought to.” And he added, “It is not something I have at all dismissed.” […]
Former Gov. Jim Thompson commented in Minneapolis, “We will have to wait for Aaron Schock to grow up.” […]
On running for governor or another statewide post, [DuPage County chairman Bob Schillerstrom] says, “That is one of the things I’m going to take look at and give some consideration to.” […]
Asked in Minneapolis if he will run again, Gidwitz said, “I had a great time last time. Who knows?”
* Congressional candidate Aaron Schock was the only Illinois Republican to speak at the RNC this week, and it was just for a couple of minutes. Here it is…
* Related…
* Watson: Illinois Senate ‘Hardly the Training Ground’ for White House
* Daley scoffs at ‘machine’ reference to Obama
* Daley Weighs in on Giuliani, Palin and Oprah
* Schock toots his own horn
* Schock, at GOP convention, tells of being inspired by McCain
* Illinois GOP’s media bait-and-switch
* Republican Legislator Delegates to the Convention