[Clintonfatigued]

The Illinois electorate can be divided into three groups: Chicago, The Suburbs, and Downstate. Chicago has become a 'Rat stronghold on the whole, heavily minority and liberal. However, the south-west side of Chicago has a number of white observant Catholics (I call them Mother Angelica Democrats), who can sometimes be persuaded to cross party lines. The suburbs range from middle class to wealthy. They are skeptical of tax increases and 'Rat spending programs, but moderate-to-liberal on the so-called social issues. This the heartland of the soccer Moms much talked of in 1996. It also has many Jewish voters, and is the base of the RINO wing of the Illinois G.O.P. Downstate is the reverse;, mostly conservatie socially, but economically stagnant, with a large blue-collar population upset about overseas job contracting, corporate excesses, and declining wages & health benefits. Ever since 1996, this unsettled combination added up to 'Rat victories of varying sizes. But I believe that Jack Ryan's unorthodox appeal can appeal to many of these people that other Repubicans have been losing.

[Kuksool]

{They (IL suburbs) are skeptical of tax increases and 'Rat spending programs}

I live in Du Page County, IL. It is an IL GOP suburb that is slowly trending RAT. It isn't just cultural issues that are moving the suburbs to the RATS.

White collar suburbanites love social service programs too. When they speak of welfare reform or tax cuts, they mean cut govt spending in the South Side of Chicago. However, when you start reciting the Libertarian platform to them, they will oppose any cuts in govt spending for their communities. Last April, most ballot initiatives to raise taxes for govt education passed in the Chicago suburbs. Hence, the RINO suburbs support increased govt spending for their benefit.