Pat O'Malley is the best available candidate. But the real question for we Illinois GOP-ers is:
Who else do have with the last name "Ryan" who is going to ultimately wind up on the ballot for the 2006 race?
The IL GOP, now led by Judy Barr Topinka, will look for a Corrine Wood-type Republican to push in the hopes of bleeding-off Dem votes. This doesn't bode well for the chances of a true conservative like Pat O'Malley, or a popular political veteran like Ray LaHood. But let's face it, the IL GOP is in ruins right now.
Alan Keyes will be used as an example of how a conservative Republican cannot win in Illinois. This despite getting more than 1.3 million votes. The Judy Barr-led GOP is refusing to end the "good old boy" system that has cost the GOP everything in our fine state.
Look for a blowout either way. Right now our state is so blue that Blagojevich could go to prison on October 31st, 2006 and still get re-elected on November 2nd.
We are going to have about a generation before Illinois turns around. It is very sad.
Judas resigned efeective 1/31/05. Andy McKenna was chosen as new State Party Chair at the State Central Committeee meeting in pringfield on 1/15/05.
Andy, who is far from perfect, will be much better than boopsy if only he can develop a pulse.
I agree that Pat O'Malley is a great candidate. I met him last campaign in Springfield.