1. Illinois and Chiago have been blue because the corrupt bipartisan combine has dominated the ILGOP for years (Speaker Hastert, Minority Leader Bob Michels before him). The honest Republicans allowed this to happen because they confused issues/ideology with strategy/tactics. That IL is blue has little to do with the values of the ordinary people. Hopefully that is now changing.
2. That Valuesvoters chose Pence and in IL he came in 12th in a list of 10 just proves that 2012 is wide open. Anyone who thinks any wannabe is in front or behind is hallucinating.