 Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City, raised $100 a plate
for Brady in Bloomington and the two had an evening event in
Chicago. Giuliani was in the state also to raise money for Illinois
Republican Mark Kirk's bid for U.S. Senate.The former mayor said
Illinois is one of the states where the GOP could make big gains
this fall, and he said Brady is just one of the candidates who
should take a Democrat's seat. But Giuliani had little specific
praise for Brady.
"Illinois is not unlike New York, or California, or many states,
where we need good, sensible fiscal conservatism at the helm so that
the state (can) try and figure out how you spend less money."
Giuliani said he had met Brady before and knew of his work in the
Illinois Senate and his career as a home builder. That's better than
he did on Brady's opponent, Gov. Pat Quinn. Giuliani forgot Quinn's
name when talking about the Blagojevich-Quinn administration.
But the former mayor did blame the two Democratic governors for
what he said was out-of-control spending. He said Illinois, under a
Brady administration, needs to attack that spending with "massive
cuts."
"You begin with the assumption that in (education, health care
and social services) there is overspending and inefficiency. If you
cannot accept that assumption, then you are from Mars. Because there
is overspending and inefficiency almost necessarily in government
programs."
Giuliani did not offer specifics for Illinois but did point to
his 15 percent cuts to New York City's budget during his tenure.
Brady has been campaigning on a 10 percent cut to Illinois
spending said once again that he doesn't yet know where he'll cut "a
dime in every dollar."
"You have to use tools like audits, but the beginning assumption
is that there is inefficiency in government."
Brady has said in the past that he may not be able to find
specific cuts until he gets a clear picture of the state's finances.
Though campaign officials say they are beginning that process now.
[to top of second column] |
Gov. Quinn's campaign said they're not surprised at another
Republican, even though he's from out of state, proposing massive
budget cuts.
"Brady's campaign trail proposals for our budget and economy
would be disastrous. To offer tax cuts for the rich, Brady admits
that he is willing to add $1 billion to our deficit. His draconian
budget cuts would gut our state services, negatively impacting
schools, public transportation, health care and public safety," said
Mica Matsoff, a representative for Quinn.
The $100-a-plate lunch in Bloomington brought out a large crowd
and brought more money to what Illinois Republicans say are swelling
campaign coffers.
Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady said events like Giuliani's visit
are proof of a new momentum in the race for the governor's office.
"We're post-Labor Day, Bill's up 13 points today, and we're
attracting national attention now. They see this as Republicans
taking a governor's mansion; that's why this is exciting."
A new Rasmussen poll shows Brady with a 13 percent lead over
Quinn. That's the largest gap of the race so far. The GOP chairman
says it's proof that with just under two months until Election Day,
voters are making up their minds and walking away from Democrats.
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By BENJAMIN YOUNT]
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