Kudos to Jack Ryan for realizing that you have to appeal to pro-life and pro-gun voters to win the primary (Kustra/Dickerson were unapologetic RINOs), but Jack just isn't as conservative as he claims to be in public. He claimed to be "torn" on several social issues and wouldn't even give a position on life/guns until his pollster guy told him what kind of people vote in the primary (now his website says he's strong on both), and he's given several liberal stances on paper when ILSenate.com made him give a postion flat out: Q. "Do you support the death penalty?"
A. "No, I do not support the death penalty"
Q. "How would you control the costs of Medicare?"
A. "Every effort must be made to strengthen Medicare and Medicaid. Individuals using these programs need more health care choices and help controlling the rising costs of prescription drugs. Protecting the aged and fighting to give the less fortunate a chance are the cournerstones of my campaign for the Senate."
Q. "Do you support both patriot acts?"
A. "I will follow President Bush's lead and do everything possible to protect America from terrorism"
Q. "What is your position on O'Hare expansion?" [big government program proposed by Chicago Mayor Daley]
A. "Supporting the expansion of O'Hare and examining the feasiblity of a third airport are crucial to the continued success of Chicago...Expanding O'Hare will reduce flight delays,improve existing and provide new runways, create jobs and allow for western access to the airport..." (to his credit, he did go on to say he was against backroom deals being used for croynoism)
Q. "Do you support race based affirmative action?"
A. "In 2000, I left Goldman Sachs to teach at Hales Franciscan High School, an all African-American, all-boys parocial school on the south side... (goes on to talk about the importance of helping inner-city schools) Bashing affirmative action based on race is wrong. Instead, we as a soecity need to reach out...
Q. "Do you support affirmative action based on economig status?"
A. "We need to help those who are economically less fortunate become the bset they can be. In order to achieve this goal, it is essential we provide a quality education and growing economy to our children..."
Don't get me wrong, I'm NOT saying the guy is a RINO, just that we can do better in the primary. People are sick of Republican "Ryans", which is not this guy's fault (he's VERY different from George or Jim!) but it is a problem with the sheeple and caused them to vote RAT in droves last year just to stop another "Ryan" for winning. (That being said, if he wins, I will certainly be happy to vote for Ryan over a RAT in the general election). But right now there are lots of alternatives.
State Senate Steve Rauschenburger (a.k.a. Rauschy) comes from the same background as Fitzgerald (member of the IL General Assembly since '92) and is conservative across the board except for his stupid blanket amnesty stance. He'd make the best Senator-- the only question is whether he can win the primary and whether he'd be electable in the general election (right now he needs a LOT more $$$). Of course the Dems know he's a long time elected offical so they have a paper trail to smear him with. I can see it now: "Intolerant, homophobic, sexist... middle-aged white man...blah blah blah")
I think Kathuria is really the best of both worlds. The liberal media REALLY must view him as enough of a threat to run a hit piece on the guy when he's in 5th place (a hit piece so slanted and now proven false that even his OPPONENTS have denouced it!). He's a minority and his getting crossover support from people who don't normally vote Republican. He has LOTS of $$$ to burn, he's got the amazing "American dream" background like Ryan that the soccer mommies will love (parents came here as poor immigrants, son has lived in Illinois since he was 8 monthes old, graduated Valedictorian from Downer's Grove H.S., went to Stanford, got a MBA and a Doctorate, started buisnesses that made millions, put the first civilian into space, provided medical relief in Kosovo, etc.) PLUS he's a great conservative on all the issues-- INCLUDING strongly opposing ILLEGAL immigration. He's a hell of a long shot, but his candidacy sort of reminds me of Bill Frist crossed with Alan Keyes. I'm sure he'd be forminable against Hynes in the general election if he won the primary by some huge upset. I LOVE underdogs, so he's got my vote.
I think it's interesting to note that Pat O'Malley has not yet endorsed anyone. However, one of his top henchmen, Dan Proft, has turned up in the Ryan camp and is apparently tasked with "conservative outreach" for Ryan's campaign. The first roundtable meeting set up to pitch Ryan to consevatives was held at O'Malley's country club.
I know O'Malley wants to be governor in '06 and is smart enough to know that he'll need mainstream support as well as the conservative base to win it. If he can deliver the conservative base for Ryan and get him elected as Senator in the general, I think he'll be able to claim Ryan's broad based popular support when he goes after the guv spot.
"Kathuria is ....... a minority ....
So,.... he's a transvestite?