Posted on 10/05/2005 2:59:57 PM PDT by Southside_Chicago_Republican
CHICAGO - On the heels of the decision by former Governor Jim Edgar not to run for Governor in 2006, State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin), a 13-year lawmaker, has emerged as perhaps the GOP's best chance to defeat incumbent Governor Rod Blagojevich, according to a poll released by Zogby International.
The poll, conducted from September 16-21, shows Rauschenberger with a slim 1-point margin over incumbent Governor Rod Blagojevich, 41.3-40.4%. The poll also seemingly indicates that Rauschenberger provides the best head-to-head match-up with Blagojevich for the Republican party now that Edgar has decided he will not be a candidate. The Zogby poll was conducted prior to Edgar's announcement and showed Edgar with a 12-point margin in a head-to-head match-up with Blagojevich.
“The poll is very encouraging,” said Rauschenberger. “It provides validation that our campaign’s effort to reconnect with middle class families in Illinois by providing honest, forthright, and thoughtful leadership is resonating.”
The poll was also conducted before Rauschenberger unveiled his endorsement by former U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald last week, an endorsement he expects will aide him in attracting conservative primary voters.
State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) was the next most competitive Republican trailing Blagojevich by a 42.2-37.5% margin, according to the Zogby poll.
This is great news, and surprising at that.
STEVEN LONG LAST NAME BEGINNING WITH "R" FOR GOVERNOR!!!
Yes, I am pleased. But "Rauschenberger beating Blagojevich" is quite a mouthful, isn't it? "Rauschenberger BEATS Blagojevich" is better, and a headline I hope to see in Nov. 06.
I was shocked by this headline. But I'm not a local. You're from Illinois. Are you surprised by this?
I'm not really surprised. Blagojevich has been a less-than-stellar governor. He has alienated people high up in his own party. He's been having a strange, ongoing feud with his father-in-law, a major Chicago alderman. I think a lot of people perceive Blagovich to be a bit on the shady side and I think after the fiasco of George Ryan's governorship, plenty of people are tired of that. He obviously has a much higher name recognition than Rauschenberger right now but, I think that to the extent that people know him, Rauschenberger has the image of being competent and clean. Of course, in the election, Blagojevich will win Chicago, but the margin of his win there will depend on how well the machine turns out the vote. Daley evidently likes having a Republican in the state house, and at this point, I don't see massive enthusiams for Blagojevich. Rauschenberger comes from Elgin, which is in the "collar counties" -- suburban Chicago area that have traditionally been strong for the GOP. So he should do well there. And he should do well downstate. Outside of a few counties and metropolitan areas, that is also very strongly Republican. Of course, a lot depends on how the local organizations turn out the vote. But even Alan Keyes did well in those areas and, if I recall correctly, won the vote in at least one county.
If this poll is even reasonably accurate, then the Democrat tide that swept Illinois may be receeding.
Right now George Bush is more popular in Illinois than Blago is.
He's been looking at approval in the 30% for nearly six months.
As long as we put up a half decent candidate Blago will be defeated.
If Edgar ran it wouldn't have even been a race, but I definitely wouldn't mind a Rauschenberger candidacy, I wrote him in for the Senate race last year.
Yes, this is where it is at. The Dem ground troops will turnout the vote because their job depends on it.
The question is which GOP candidate will motivate the activists in the base to volunteer to work their church, work their precinct, talk to friends and family and GOTV?
Rauschenberger might be able to inspire that kind of grass roots support from conservatives. I'm less convinced that Judith Topinka can, as she seems to be a female Republican version of Blagojevich.
Well, US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has put a lot of the Democratic organization people, i.e. the Mayor's staff, under indictment. And another investigation into teacher's retirement fund shenanigans has snared a former DNC treasurer and has identified Offical A (believed to be Blagojevich) as directing contracts to political contributors. Washington types may hate him for any indictments in Plaumegate, but we love him here in Illinois. He may be the first US attorney to indict two Illinois governors (he's got George Ryan on trial as we speak). Peter Fitzgerald wanted to give the old-boy political network in Illinois a real kick in the pants when he tapped Patrick Fitzgerald for the job. It's working.
More good news today.
His is great news. Please keep FR posted on developements on this.
From the names, I thought this was a Polish poll.
Edgar? Too wimpy to run against Obama who was given the Senate seat. I just don't get it. These big guns refuse to lead but I'm expected to follow with my contributions. He'll wimp out against Durbin too. LMFAO.
Jim Oberweis is running for Governor too. He plans to beat Rauschenberger over the head with his illegal immigration friendly votes.
Jim Oberweis has no credibility. He has flip-flopped from being a pro-abort RINO to a Pat Buchanan nationalist. Voters won't buy it.
If elected, Steven Rauschenberger could be the Mark Sanford of the industrial midwest.
You are right about Rauschenberger... but wrong about Oberweis. They are both good men we are proud of.
The Obie problem is not "flipflopping". The problem is his inarticulate way of expressing something that leaves him open to being mis-understood by the base, or by the MSM, or by both.
WLS Sunday night with Tom Roeser and Frank Avila, a skilled candidate would have been able to stay on message. Frank Avila is a great person with whom to talk political corruption, on which Obie could have played offense and scored some points. But Obie got bogged down in being defensive on immigration and lost points.
It didn't help that one of his high profile supporters (and a truly good guy) phoned in and went off message.
Edgar did have some heart problems.. I don't think he wants to put with the fiasco....
I happen to live in Rauschenberger district and he is good. What sealed my support for Rauschenberger is that Peter Fitzgerald support. Even this poll is good news, I'm not taking any chances nor do I believe in this poll. 2006 is a long way off..
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