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The theme of the night could have been the demise of recently ousted
Rod R. Blagojevich, and indeed there were a few jokes sent the
ex-governor's way. But rather, all who spoke talked more of being
prepared to take back the governor's post as well as the state
legislature as the 2010 gubernatorial election draws near. Sen.
Bill Brady
The keynote speaker was state Sen. Bill Brady. Beginning with
comments on the impeachment, Brady said, "It wasn't an easy process
to go through, but it was the right thing to do." He stressed that
it is a time for Republicans to "not be candidates in the
(political) middle, but to stress the values of the Republican
Party, which are less government, lower taxes and accountability."
"We need to get back to the party of Lincoln and Reagan," he
said.
He noted that Blagojevich previously had campaigned and won using
the mantra of "change in Illinois." Brady said Republicans need to
not only send a message that they will change Illinois government,
but must define what they mean when they say "change."
The senator went on to say that the 700,000 jobs lost in the last
six years is unacceptable. Mentioning all the benefits that Illinois
has with location, universities, roads and rail service, to name a
few, Brady targeted expansion of fees, taxes and permits, the
unfriendly business climate established by Democrats, as cause for
what has kept businesses from locating in our state. "We need to
create an environment where businesses want to come to Illinois," he
said. "How? By rolling back the costs of doing business in our state
to those equal with other states."
With the state perhaps looking at a $9 billion budget deficit,
Brady pulled no punches in his criticism of Democrats. "With a $55
billion budget, the state doesn't have a taxing problem. The state
has a spending problem," he said. "If you can't balance the state's
budget, then get out. And let someone in who can."
Andy McKenna, chairman of the Illinois Republican Committee
McKenna was headed to Springfield but took a few minutes to
answer questions.
Asked if having an extremely unpopular governor just ousted and
replaced with Pat Quinn would hurt the Republicans' chances in 2010,
McKenna agreed it made a difference but not a significant difference
in his mind. "Our intentions are to build a ticket, and get away
from those who do for themselves and offer candidates that will give
back to the people," he said.
McKenna, a resident of the Lincoln Park area, understands
northern Illinois politics. His interest in the Republican platform
began back in the days when his parents hosted a fundraiser for
Republican candidate Chuck Percy. McKenna obviously sees linkage
with Blagojevich and the Chicago Democratic machine and has been a
critic of new Gov. Pat Quinn from almost his first moments in
office.
McKenna again stated a point he previously made, that Quinn had
an opportunity for six years as lieutenant governor but failed to
root out corruption under the Blagojevich administration. McKenna
was adamant in his belief that Quinn is a part of the northern
Illinois Blagojevich, Emil Jones, Mike Madigan faction that has led
the state into lost jobs and higher taxes.
He also recalled that Quinn once called Blagojevich a man of
honesty and integrity, just before the 2006 re-election.
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The Republican chairman went on to observe that Quinn is already
talking about tax increases when Illinoisans per capita already pay
some of the highest taxes and fees of any state in the country when
adjusted for inflation.
As chairman of the Republicans, McKenna wants the party to stress
ethics and fiscal reform. He believes a unified party with defined
goals and plans will accomplish the task of electing Republicans
into office.
Strategizing
Brady discussed the party, not ignoring the 25 percent minority
vote in the state that runs heavily Democratic in their voting.
McKenna, living in the Chicago area, believes the party can also
sway disenchanted Democrats into voting for the Republican slate of
candidates. To make his point, McKenna mentioned that Paul Vallas,
who ran in 2002 for governor on the Democratic ticket, is seriously
considering becoming a Republican and either running for governor or
Cook County board president.
Notes:
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Brady has not
officially announced his candidacy for governor of Illinois, but
that appears to be a formality. Introduced by Dave Bender as
"hopefully, the next governor of Illinois," Brady did nothing to
repudiate the remark.
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During the dinner
hour, Brady also left the meal in order to walk the hall,
shaking hands and getting in touch with all those at the dinner
-- much like someone running for office.
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Also at the dinner
were Logan County's state Reps. Bill Mitchell, 87th District,
and Rich Brauer, 100th District. Sen. Larry Bomke, 50th
District, was also in attendance.
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Sen. Carole Pankau,
23rd District, a Republican favorite, visited the dinner and was
asked to say a few words. She talked about the party developing
a "farm team" right now to prepare for the 2010 elections.
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The three Lincoln mayoral candidates --
Patrick O'Neill, Keith Snyder and Michael Thornton --were each
allowed two minutes to talk during the evening.
Bomke was asked if the conundrum of helping Pat Quinn fix the
state would make Quinn look better and thereby lower Republican
chances in the next governor's race.
He dismissed the notion, believing the Republicans will be ready.
Keeping his eye on the ball, the current budget morass, Bomke said,
"We have a job to do right now, and that is to help the people of
Illinois."
[By
MIKE FAK] |
