Illinois GOP Primary Results Bode Well for November
Another endorser of Andrzejewski was Lech Walesa, founder of the Polish anti-Communist party Solidarity and Cold War icon. In the end, the movement conservative vote was badly split between Andrzejewski and well known political commentator Dan Proft, thus leaving Brady, Dillard, and former GOP state chairman Andy McKenna to duke it out down the stretch.
Either Brady or Dillard will offer the Democratic nominee a strong race given the temper of the voter in this state. To make matters worse for the Democrats, the trial of Blagojevich opens in June and is expected to last all summer. Set to testify for the prosecution is President Obama’s good friend and benefactor Tony Rezko, while other prominent Democrats’ names will swirl around the proceedings, dragging the entire party through the mud. How much of an effect this will have on the two major races in the fall for governor and U.S. senator is unknown.
The Senate race for both parties turned out to be anti-climactic. Rep. Mark Kirk breezed to an easy win in the Republican primary, while Alexi Giannoulias, the one-term state treasurer and sometime basketball playing pal of the president, got the nod in the Democratic contest.
There were murmurs from the White House that the president didn’t want his friend to run. Giannoulias was vice president of loans at his family bank, which is now under a consent order from federal regulators that will force the firm to raise about $76 million in capital.
The struggling bank is the least of Giannoulias’ worries. While the chief loan officer there, he granted loans to several shady characters with ties to organized crime. And while state treasurer, Giannoulias lost $150 million in the college loan fund he was responsible for overseeing.
But the real reason the White House wanted to keep Giannoulias from a high-profile Senate race is the history between the two men and the Giannoulias family bank — Broadway Bank — that has played a role in Obama’s political career. The president kept his personal and campaign accounts at Giannoulias’ bank, and it is believed by some that the bank engineered a sweetheart loan deal for the Obama’s first townhouse in Chicago.
The pro quo to that quid was Senator Obama’s endorsement in 2006 of the 29-year-old Giannoulias for state treasurer. A total political unknown who had never run for office, never even voted before, was endorsed by a political heavyweight like Obama.
All of this and more is likely to come out in the race against the attractive GOP candidate Mark Kirk, who doesn’t set conservatives in the state on fire, but who handily won his primary, garnering 57% of the vote against a weak field of five other candidates. There is some grumbling from the right about Kirk, who voted for TARP and is pro-choice. He is also an unabashed moderate who is pro-environment and “pro-science.” Interestingly, Kirk also became the first sitting congressman since World War II to go on active duty and serve overseas in a war zone.
But antipathy to Kirk sets up the possibility already being discussed among conservatives in the state to field a third-party candidate. Kirk has promised to build bridges to the right, but they may not be in the mood to reciprocate. However the ballot procedures in Illinois for third-party candidates are daunting, so unless the right can find a self-funding candidate or raise a lot of money quickly, this effort seems doomed to failure.
As in the gubernatorial race, the GOP finds itself sitting pretty. Despite a big edge in registration, the Republicans almost matched the Democrats in turnout for the primary, demonstrating an enthusiasm lacking on the other side. Neither side will be hurting for money, but the “X” factor will be the president himself. He is expected to campaign for his old friend, but Obama will probably stay close to Chicago and its suburbs in his appearances where he still enjoys huge popularity.
The stars are aligning for a big GOP celebration on election night in November. But in a state as blue as Illinois, a lot can happen between now and election day that could rekindle the voters’ loyalty to the Democrats and frustrate the Republicans in their efforts once again.
The tea party movement should consider Rep. Mark Kirk as a candidate worthy of its support. He is indeed imperfect—but will likely win in November. The odds are also that Kirk will behave himself once reaching Washington, DC. Things have changed dramatically and all Republican politicians now realize that it behooves them to embrace conservative economic policies. Compromising with Democrats to prove one “can reach across the aisle” is no longer a viable strategy. Even John McCain and Lindsey Graham are starting to act like fiscal conservatives.
I am trying to get excited by this article. Can somebody with more knowledge than me provide a list of Major Accomplishments of Illinois Republicans (post Lincoln)? Just so I can be ready for the good things that come.
I mean, I am assuming that the main benefit is the Republicans generally have shorter sentences when they convicted, as their crimes are more timid. Is that pretty much it?
@ David Thompson
You say “”Things have changed dramatically and all Republican politicians now realize that it behooves them to embrace conservative economic policies. Compromising with Democrats to prove one “can reach across the aisle” is no longer a viable strategy. Even John McCain and Lindsey Graham are starting to act like fiscal conservatives.”"
The fact that John McCain and Lindsay Graham can “act” is an interesting statement. Clearly differentiates their behavior from “being” conservative. Lindsay Graham is not “acting” very convincingly as he pushes for Global Warming legislation. David – should conservatives and Tea Party types vote for John McCain over JD Hayworth? Since McCain is now “acting” right?
Mark Kirk will never be anything more conservative than he has been. He will probably drift less, by associating with the others of his ilk – like Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe. He will try to create a moderate/liberal wing in the Republican caucus. He will no more become conservative than Obama, in his State of the Union speech. People are what they are. They are defined by their actions. Not future expectations of different actions. Kirk would occasionally vote better than a Democrat, but from what I have seen on Cap and Trade, Second Amendment, TARP, federal employee benefits, First Amendment restrictions, expanding government generally, Mark Kirk is a moderate Democrat, not a Republican. His win would not be a victory for freedom or constitutional principles.
The only thing worse than a Democrat is an Illinois Republican.
@ kent: Rejoice, we conquer ?
I agree with DT above; A candidate whose
enlightened self interest trumps his ideology
is the most we can hope for, and all we need.
The are still some steps down the economic staircase
ahead of us, and a vicious Demon Sheep waiting at the bottom;
As in the Monty Python skit featuring the Attack Rabbit, it
is time to turn around and run away.
Rick:
“There is some grumbling from the right about Kirk, who voted for TARP and is pro-choice. He is also an unabashed moderate who is pro-environment and “pro-science.””
Mark Kirk was one of the few Republicans to vote for Waxman-Markey, the cap-and-trade bill meant to fight a nonexistent problem, global warming. Given what we know just of the scientific fraud revealed in climate change research, that makes him anything but “pro-science.”
“David – should conservatives and Tea Party types vote for John McCain over JD Hayworth?”
Tea Party types should vote for J.D. Hayworth over John McCain in the primary. And then they must support McCain in the general election. These citizens have to grab control
of their state’s Republican Party. This will take some effort, but it ultimately is the only way to go.
To 8. David Thomson:
Normally I would agree with you but McLaim may be the exception proving the rule. We are not likely to retake the Senate but we will make deep gains in it. This is an opportune time for Tea Partiers to make a national statement. Even if McLaim wins the primary he should face a real conservative in the General election. Yes it will split the vote and yes it will elect a Democrat. However it would also rid us of McLaim and send a very clear message that we will not support such again. And it would do so without changing the “Game’ in the Senate as far as votes. This next two years.
I loved the mug shot line Rick. Although I’m now 10 years gone in Az I was raised a Clevelander – and thus have an affinity for the ‘chicago way’ – having survived most of my childhood in a similar machine enviro.
I do hope Kirk drags Obama into the mix in this run as you say – although it’s a rather risky statewide strategy given how popular he is at home. I must admit my main pleasure watching this race is the the hope for a mid-year election trifecta. Even if we don’t take back either the house or senate – the strong possibilty of taking Obama’s seat, Reid’s seat and maybe retiring Barb Boxer – amounts to a pretty sweet back at ‘em considering where we’ve been the past few years.
9. Fantom: – why don’t you go get a dart board and put up John, ok. I don’t like people suggesting that we need to ‘learn’ by electing Dems to Arizona senate seats. Gits my Irish up. Besides draging down the livability here in the sunshine.
For’get’about it! Move to Tucson and sip green tea with the rest of the Prog nutters.
@10. Phoenix48:
Do not know why it would “get yur irish up” LOL. You have been electing a dem.. McLaim for some time now. I certainly will do my part to see it does not happen again.
That is , if it is ok with you. And really even if it is not.. capish?
When I heard that Kirk voted for the Waxman/Markey bill, I made the decision I would never vote for Kirk. The tough choice is whether I would vote for his opponent just to give Kirk a double-hit. Still thinking about that one.
I might reconsider my feelings toward Kirk if he published a “contract” with the voters stating what he will and won’t vote for as a senator. Number one on that list would be a promise not to vote for any legislation that proposes a “cap & trade” policy, or anything similar. Number two would be his promise to vote for legislation that stops the EPA from regulating CO2 emissions. Number three would be his promise not to vote for any health care legislation that Obama/Democrats/unions favor (if they favor it, it’s got to be bad).
I better stop there….maybe others could produce a contract for Kirk to sign that would provide evidence he is not just another big government Republican destined to vote for every Democratic tax & spend program.
Doubt anything like that would happen, so it at least means I won’t cast a vote for Kirk. Now, could I really vote for the mob-financed Democrat nominee…hmmm.
Mr. Moran:
Dillard is from the “West” Chicago suburbs – Hinsdale, DuPage County…the Orange County of IL. It would be a miracle if someone with Dillard’s pigmentation emerged as leading political figure from Chicago’s south suburbs nowadays.
One of the biggest bones of contention among conservatives here is the fact the Kirk and Brady voted for illegal aliens to receive benefits under the Dream ACT/receive instate tuition in their respective legislative bodies. I would wager they have only done the equivalent of what McCain did when he supported the Kennedy Bill. He bought the first drink, nothing more. A friend of mine told me his father told him always buy the first round because you will never have to buy another round again (thus Kirk, McCain, and even this guy Brady wont have 80%+ hispanics against them). Do I expect them to follow up on similar bills once elected – no, because of the economy, the specter of returning veterans en masse (remember Operation Wetback took place one year after the Korean War ended because of veterans complaining about job opportunities), and other sundry factors.