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What is the state GOP doing?
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Race
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| Contributor | None Entered |
| Last Edited | None Entered Jul 20, 2004 05:30pm |
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| Category | Commentary |
| News Date | Tuesday, July 20, 2004 06:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | The Illinois Republican Party still lacks a US senatorial candidate less than four months before the November election. After all, it's not like there weren't any applicants. They managed to alienate incumbent senator Peter Fitzgerald, chase away primary victor Jack Ryan and flirted with "Iron" Mike Ditka, but failed to consummate any deal.
We can safely assume the field of candidates was not to the liking of Illinois GOP chairman, Judy Baar Topinka. The whole situation is fascinating because she was one of former Governor George Ryan's cronies. Many feel he's the reason the state GOP is on artificial life support with a do not resuscitate order.
Liberal, anti-gun Republican George Ryan ran against conservative, pro-gun Democrat Glenn Poshard. Ryan won despite licenses for bribes allegations coming to light as a holdover from his tenure as Illinois Secretary of State. He won largely because of the Republican dynasty created by former GOP govs Jim Thompson and Jim Edgar. Both proved to be effective leaders in a largely liberal state.
During Ryan's ill-fated stint as governor, he let all the convicted murderers off of death row. Rather than review cases and make appropriate individual decisions, he waved his magic wand and saved the lives of some of Illinois' worst criminals. The shocked families of murder victims and millions of dollars spent on prosecutions were cast aside in an obvious attempt to stave off his own criminal prosecution.
Since Ryan's licenses for bribes scandal hit the headlines, many of his friends and former subordinates are now in prison. You can tell a lot about a person by the friends he keeps.
Topinka and the present GOP leadership snubbed Jim Oberweis, the second-place senatorial primary candidate to offer Steve Rauschenberger the billet. Oberweis ranked pretty high in the eyes of Illinois Republicans, but apparently wasn’t good enough for state GOP overlords.
Exactly who is Topinka looking out for? |
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