Comments on: If I Could Be Like Mark! http://www.frumforum.com/if-i-could-be-like-mark Building a conservatism that can win again Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:50:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: jsinger008 http://www.frumforum.com/if-i-could-be-like-mark/comment-page-1#comment-45172 jsinger008 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:41:04 +0000 #comment-45172 Ploughman, I have to disagree somewhat with your analysis of the Illinois Republican party. Let's not forget Governor James Edgar, a popular and successful two-term Governor in the 90s who hailed from downstate. And as recently as six years ago, we had other state-wide office holders, for example Attorney General Jim Ryan, who lost to Blago in 2002 and Treasurer Judy Barr Topinka, who lost to Blago back in 2006. Admitedly, both of these latter politicians were from the collar counties, so I agree that the Illinois Republican party should promote and woo downstate politicians and voters. I still think my broader points stand and would help elect Republicans in the many "relatively upscale suburban districts" all over the upper Midwest and northeast. Ploughman,

I have to disagree somewhat with your analysis of the Illinois Republican party. Let’s not forget Governor James Edgar, a popular and successful two-term Governor in the 90s who hailed from downstate. And as recently as six years ago, we had other state-wide office holders, for example Attorney General Jim Ryan, who lost to Blago in 2002 and Treasurer Judy Barr Topinka, who lost to Blago back in 2006. Admitedly, both of these latter politicians were from the collar counties, so I agree that the Illinois Republican party should promote and woo downstate politicians and voters. I still think my broader points stand and would help elect Republicans in the many “relatively upscale suburban districts” all over the upper Midwest and northeast.

]]> By: Ploughman http://www.frumforum.com/if-i-could-be-like-mark/comment-page-1#comment-38900 Ploughman Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:07:40 +0000 #comment-38900 Kirk may have what it takes to win in his relatively upscale suburban district, whether he could win statewide, even in a Republican primary, is another question entirely. For the last twenty years the Republican party in Illinois has been controlled by suburban collar county politicians who have believed that they could win state-wide elections in the collar counties, and did not bother to campaign or appeal to voters outside the metropolitan area. Excepting 1994, they have mostly lost. Winning state-wide elections in Illinois will require turning out not only suburban Republicans, but also more conservative Republicans outside the metro area.Judging by his public utterances, Kirk does not seem too interested in wooing coservative "Downstate" Republicans. So, despite his policy differences with other Republican leaders in Illinois, he will probably repeat their mistakes. He has also aquired something of a reputation in Illinois as a political opportunist. Kirk may have what it takes to win in his relatively upscale suburban district, whether he could win statewide, even in a Republican primary, is another question entirely. For the last twenty years the Republican party in Illinois has been controlled by suburban collar county politicians who have believed that they could win state-wide elections in the collar counties, and did not bother to campaign or appeal to voters outside the metropolitan area. Excepting 1994, they have mostly lost. Winning state-wide elections in Illinois will require turning out not only suburban Republicans, but also more conservative Republicans outside the metro area.Judging by his public utterances, Kirk does not seem too interested in wooing coservative “Downstate” Republicans. So, despite his policy differences with other Republican leaders in Illinois, he will probably repeat their mistakes. He has also aquired something of a reputation in Illinois as a political opportunist.

]]>