I’m obviously several days late with this but here’s my $0.02 worth.
You seem to have a solid conservative background - good for you!! If you decide (or have decided) to run, start by running on your conservative credentials.
Also, run AGAINST the Chicago political machine that has given Chicago (and Illinois) the likes of Blogoyevich, Emmanuel, Daly, Jackson, and Obama (by the by, since Obama claims Hawaii as his home state, what is his connection to Illinois!!??).
Run AGAINST the culture of corruption that has overtaken American politics and run on the basis of the vision of America that the Founding Fathers had. And, (thid should not be a news flash on THIS site) run on Reagan’s solid conservative principles.
The time may be right in Illinois for a non-Chicago machine conservative to win a seat. I hear that the mood in Chicago is unsympathetic to Blogoyevich and it may be enough to get a conservative elected.
Go for it!! We’ll be pullin’ for you!!
CL,
I agree totally with Dusty. The single dominant issue should be anti-corruption, anti-corrupt politics. Draw the picture to include both what is illegal, and what is legal but unethical. This would include pushing transparency and sunshine laws at all levels.
With single issue groups such as pro-life, pro-gun, low-tax, immigration, especially the home-schoolers and private schoolers, etc, tell them what they want to hear when it is what you yourself believe. But do so in a way that motivates them to work for you and not just to vote for you. And do it in a way that doesn’t alienate others.
In a lesson learned from the Keyes campaign a co-worker said “I agree with Keyes on abortion. But my wife and daughter arent going to get abortions so it doesn’t touch me. But lefties are trying to take away my gun. So I want Keyes to give MY ISSUE some attention.”
Anti-corruption can bring together in cooperation all those single issue types without alienating any of them for feeling their issue was slighted.
Winning the 5th is remotely possible, but unlikely. Thus, the focus should be on how it can help other candidates for school board or whatever, and how it can build an organization for 2010 for St Rep, etc as well as the 2010 congressional race. Anyway the closest you will come to winning in the special election is to build that organization. (Unless you have money to buy it that I’m not aware of)