[BillyBoy]

>> In 2010, a Repbulican should be able to defeat Congresswoman Melissa Bean, of Illinois’ 8th District. Phil Crane, a conservative, had that seat for 35 years. The majority of the state legislators, in that district, are Republicans. <<

Very good point, Phil. If we're going to look at "punishing" anyone for voting in favor of Obamacare, the first priority should be the RATs in formerly GOP held seats that voted for it. People forget that as recently as 6 years ago we had a 11-9 GOP majority delegation from Illinois in Congress. Bean, Foster, and Halvenson all represent formerly GOP held seats, and all three voted in favor of Obamacare.

There have been some excellent GOP recruits in Foster and Halvenson's district. Bean could finally face a real challenger too, as opposed to the failed strategy of running bored zillionaires "from the private sector" the GOP has employed the last two election cycles. One particularly interested candidate running against Bean is Long Grove Mayor Maria Rodriguez. She's lived in the district for 25 years, solid track record as mayor, good conservative positions on all the major issues (2nd amendment, deporting illegals, anti-Obamacare, anti-cap n' trade, etc.), suburban mom, empathic speaker, and spanish-sounding last name will drive the race-baiting RATs nuts. The only BIG negative I see is that apparently she endorsed RINO Mark Kirk in the primary for Senate (and I always see that one as a biggie warning sigh... in much the same way Field is wary of any Republican who supported Romney for President)

http://www.mariarodriguezforcongress.com

Thoughts?

[Clintonfatigued]

Mayor Maria Rodriguez sounds promising. I’m glad she’s conservative and engaging and I’m willing to let her endorsement of Mark Kirk slide, considering the district. My only concern is that Long Grove only has some 7,000 people, limiting her name I.D., but she still sounds promising.

[fieldmarshaldj]

My first question now when I approach IL politics isn’t “How Conservative are they ?” it is, “Are they a Combiner ?” If they’re a Combiner, I can’t endorse them in good conscience, regardless of how Conservative they claim to be. Being a Combiner tells me you have no problem making common-cause with corruption.