IL GOP Gov's Race: McKenna's Ad Did In Kirk Dillard, Not Jim Ryan

RFFM.org ^ | Feb. 12, 2010 | Daniel T. Zanoza

[Daniel T. Zanoza]

In a recent article in Pioneer Local http://www.pioneerlocal.com/westernsprings/news/2039124,western-springs-dillard-021110-s1.article state Sen. Kirk Dillard blames former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan for his possible loss in the Feb. 2nd Republican primary. The last all of us heard regarding the election results was state Sen. Bill Brady led Dillard by close to 500 votes in the gubernatorial race. But this being Illinois, us common folk haven't learned anything since, so what else is new?

So, Dillard picks on Jim Ryan because such criticism would do the least harm to his political future. Though I didn't agree with the way Ryan conducted himself as Attorney General and during his political career in DuPage County, the man recently overcame cancer, so it's time to give him a break.

What may have defeated Dillard? Andy McKenna and his brilliant television ad. Let's see, how did that go? A chorus of children singing in the background, "the more we get together, together, together, the more we get together, the happier we'll be." Meanwhile, the visuals show an ad made by Dillard supporting Barack Obama's presidential primary run in Iowa where Obama eventually won and some say Dillard's ad put Obama over the top.

McKenna's commercial, though negative, was not only the truth, but it was the best political ad that was produced during the run up to the Feb. 2nd Illinois GOP primary. I don't think the McKenna people knew how good it was. The ad was reminiscent of what's going on in some public schools where young children are singing Mr. Obama's praises, reminding us all of the cult of personality surrounding Chairman Mao. Powerful stuff.

As far as Jim Ryan is concerned, in a way, Dillard's assertions are true, but the same goes for McKenna. The former Illinois Republican Party Chairman pulled from the same pool of votes that could have gone to Dillard.

But let's take this a step further. If Bill Brady would not have been in the race, perhaps Dillard would have already won, unless most of Brady's votes would have went to someone like Adam Andrzejewski who also had strong pockets of support downstate.

The fact is, McKenna did Dillard in with his ad, no matter whether he wins or not. Let me restate that. Dillard did himself in with his actions and McKenna pointed them out. McKenna exposed the fact Dillard probably helped Barack Obama, a Democrat, become President of the United States. That's a fact. And, as Sarah Palin recently said, "how's that hope and change thing working out for you?" No matter how Dillard tries to spin this thing, what happened happened. Now I understand Dillard regrets making the pro-Obama ad. He should. It never made sense. But, again, this is Illinois and stranger things have occurred.

So let's quit the blame game, Sen. Dillard. I never thought I'd find myself saying this, but please leave Jim Ryan alone to retire in peace and take your lumps like a man. If you lost it's because you didn't run a good enough campaign. That shouldn't be too hard to understand.

[mosesdapoet]

That ad I didn’t see because of my location (central WI). But I did monitor the radio ads McKenna barraged at the last days over conservative and not so conservative Chicago radio.

And with the lack of GOP activity particularly in the city where there are Republicans who do vote in primaries despite a popular misconception. That would have an effect plus the split amongst conservatives on the senatorial, and governors races, Brady,awaiting the final absentee count should prevail.

Andre also was a reason, Chicago had absentee balloting stations in each of the 50 wards which began on the 11th and ended on the 28th. Those absentee ballots were being cast when both were running their commercials.

The final will tell the story

The surprize to me was Hoffman, and that was due to party organization. The late Patty Bauler was right ... “Chicago ain’t ready for reform”
http://www.theusmat.com/home.htm

[fieldmarshaldj]

*IL politics ping*

[Impy]

Well if true, thanks for once McKenna.

I don’t see why Dillard would have won if Brady didn’t run. I’d wager Ryan (whom downstaters have heard of) would have gained more Brady votes than him enough to top him. Adam may have ended up winning.