Favored Ryan stand-in steps aside instead [immigration reformer Jim Oberweis needs help]

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | July 9, 2004 | Scott Fornek

[lonewacko_dot_com]

The Illinois Republican Party took another body blow Thursday, as the candidate considered the favorite by a number of GOP leaders dropped out of the running to replace U.S. Senate nominee Jack Ryan.

State Sen. Steve Rauschenberger said his late entry into the race would have made it nearly impossible to raise the money required to compete effectively against Democrat Barack Obama...

Aurora dairy owner Jim Oberweis argues that his second-place primary finish makes him the "logical" choice.

But many Republicans remain uneasy over TV commercials Oberweis ran during the primary attacking President Bush's immigration reform plans. Oberweis insists he only opposed illegal immigration, but the ads drew fire from immigrant groups and Republicans alike.

"There is a group in the party which obviously is enamored with Mr. Oberweis because he finished second," said DuPage County GOP Chairman Kirk Dillard. "[But] an Oberweis candidacy would present unique problems when it comes to immigration and race and ethnicity, [problems] which I'm not sure we want to take on at this time."

After Oberweis, the remaining 10 names on the list are not exactly household names...

[Mike Bates]

I understand Mrs. Mike says that if he gets involved in this race, she's divorcing him.

[The Scourge of Yazid]

Yeah, I caught that also.

What is it with these Republicans?

I mean, have you ever heard of a more henpecked bunch?

Colin Powell doesn't run for presidency... because his wife objects?

I mean, who wears the skirt in that household?

[The Scourge of Yazid]

Senator Everett Dirksen.

[stars & stripes forever]

Senator Everett Dirksen.

History will repeat itself.

[The Scourge of Yazid]

From your lips to God's ears!

[proudpapa]

Okay, you're kinda new here so I'll type this slow.
Coach Hastert is the House Majority Leader.
Re-election odds are probably close to 99%.
Why would he walk away from that to run for a Senate seat that he has about a 90% chance of losing?

Answer: He wouldn't.

[The Scourge of Yazid]

I'm not saying that he would, I'm merely throwing the idea into the mix.

And besides, "ninety percent?"

Aren't we being a bit of a drama queen here?

[proudpapa]

Obama is very photogenic. Hastert would require the wide lens, if you know what I mean.

I lived in Chicago 8 of the last 12 years I know what I speak of.

Now to answer your question... I was going to say 95% chance of losing, but didn't want to be accused of being a drama queen so I went with a much safer, more conservative number (90%) and I stand by it.

[The Scourge of Yazid]

Laura Ingraham:

I stand by my previous remarks. DRAMA QUEEN!!!

[LandOfLincolnGOP]

What about Dennis Hastert?

Hmm... Continue being Speaker of the House, or become the GOP's sacrificial lamb? Which one would you choose?

[The Scourge of Yazid]

Well it would definitely be worth a shot.

I have a real problem with the attitude-all too often taken by the Republican Party leadership-that dictates that they should not take big risks, which often carry concomitantly, big rewards.

That's one of the reasons that we lose a lot of elections that could have gone our way.

It depresses me to no end that the New York Republican Party couldn't find it in themselves to nominate a real candidate to take on someone as loathsome as Charles Schumer.

[proudpapa]

Do you understand anything about politics???

The goal isn't to 'nominate a real candidate to take on someone...'

The goal is to run someone who has a legitimate chance of winning and who can help our cause.

A good example would be Schwarzenegger. Unlike McClintock, who I agree with on nearly everything, Schwarzenegger (obviously) had a legitimate chance of winning and helps our cause more than Cruz Bustamonte would have.

[proudpapa]

Another good example would be Ditka!

[The Scourge of Yazid]

First of all, McClintock would have won that race, albeit in that scenario, he probably would not have emerged from the race with the wide margin of victory that Schwarzenegger had on election day.

Secondly, I'm under no delusions that Hastert will actually enter this race-short perhaps of an absolute miracle akin to the parting of the Red Sea-under any circumstances whatsoever.

Finally, all I was doing was making a suggestion.

I don't think that anyone has ever accomplished a noteworthy goal by not-and I know that you'll just loathe this hackneyed cliche-"thinking outside the box."

[supercat]

Do you understand anything about politics???

Do you understand Illinois politics?

The goal is to run someone who has a legitimate chance of winning and who can help our cause.

The goal of the RINO Party is to nominate someone who will either (1) shut down any real investigations of corruption in Illinois if he wins, or (2) lose to someone who will shut down the investigations.

There is a broad bipartisan web of corruption in Illinois, and members of that web will help protect other members, regardless of party affiliation.

BTW, can you think of any other state in which a gubernatorial candidate on the "Republican" ticket ran to the left of his opponent on every issue?

[Sabertooth]

But many Republicans remain uneasy over TV commercials Oberweis ran during the primary attacking President Bush's immigration reform plans. Oberweis insists he only opposed illegal immigration, but the ads drew fire from immigrant groups and Republicans alike.

"There is a group in the party which obviously is enamored with Mr. Oberweis because he finished second," said DuPage County GOP Chairman Kirk Dillard. "[But] an Oberweis candidacy would present unique problems when it comes to immigration and race and ethnicity, [problems] which I'm not sure we want to take on at this time."

Typical of pro-Illegal Alien Republicans to join the Democrats in hinting and smearing anti-Illegal party members and candidates as anti-immigrant," racist, or bigoted.

Bush, Kemp, and Bennett wrote that tune in 1994, and their choir is still sining along.

[Regulator]

Jill Stanek for Senator.

[proudpapa]

I understand Illinois politics all to well, thank you.

And irregardless of who wins, Obama, Ditka or even Don Wade, the next senator will have next to no impact on cleaning up corruption in the land of lincoln.

What most freepers care about is holding onto Fitzgeralds seat and possibly having it make a difference when it comes to voting on judicial nominees.

[proudpapa]

I asked if you understand anything about politics and you reply by saying..."First of all, McClintock would have won that race,..."

Thank you. Thank you for proving my point that you know little, precious little about politics.

Suggestion: Don't give up. Spend more time reading and listening to those who are in the know. And next time you post a comment you might not appear so foolish.

[The Scourge of Yazid]

"Super Fans":

(Reiterating a point made in a previous post. In unison.)

DITKA!

DA BEARRRRS!