As Illinois Republicans, we missed the national celebration that the rest of country went through. Ours was a miserable election day!

Losing the Governor's Mansion for the first time in 26 years was bad enough, add to that the Attorney General's office and the loss of the General Assembly, and even the most optimistic person had to be shaken.

However, there is always a bright side to the worst scenario, and with the rebuilding process just starting, it is a little exciting to see just what will rise out of the ashes.

One good thing to come from this tough election is that the Minority Leader in the State House of Representatives Lee Daniels is not seeking re-election from his caucus. There are two men who are running for that position: Tom Cross and Art Tenhouse.

Tom Cross, a representative from Oswego, with the help of Representative "Skip" Saviano and the clout of Mayor of Rosemont Donald Stephens, claims to have the votes to become the next minority leader.

With what happened over the last seven months, you would think that anyone who wanted a leadership position in the Republican party would make sure everything they did would be as inclusive and above board as possible.

It seems that Cross and his friends were not paying attention. They have returned to backroom deals, using campaign funds and smear tactics to achieve their goals. Cross, who is pro-choice on the abortion issue, has used the fact that Tenhouse is supported by Lee Daniels to hide his stands.

It is Cross, not Tenhouse, who has made up a coalition of liberal, big government, anti-gun Republicans. Knowing the Republican voters want change, Cross is trying to taint Tenhouse as the person who will keep the status quo, when it is Cross who will take the GOP to the left and blur the lines even more between the parties.

This Cross-led group has hurriedly called a caucus meeting on November 18th even though tradition states that a caucus be called by the state chairman of the party, now Gary MacDougal.

The problem here is that the chairman is out of the country and will not be back by the 18th. There is nothing in writing that says the procedure has to be that "traditional" way because nobody ever thought it would be necessary for it to be written down.

Cross seems to have the support of U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Yorkville). Cross was the courier of campaign cash for many candidates from the speaker's PACs, although not all of the candidates needed the funds.

And now these same legislators have signed a letter supposedly pledging their support to Cross’ candidacy. I say supposedly, because a letter calling for the caucus went out with signatures from legislators who say they are still uncommitted when it come to a leader.

Confused? That's the point. After what the party has gone through the last seven months, we cannot allow deception to win the day.

If these people take the leadership in the General Assembly, everything the party has gone through will have been for nothing. That’s why it is important that we all get involved. It would be a shame if after the bloody and painful battles we just went through, nothing in the party changes.

Art Tenhouse is a dedicated and loyal guy. He is a conservative who worked his way into the leadership by being attentive to his district and his principles.

I agree that it raised concerns that the old leadership was behind Tenhouse until you look at the history of Tom Cross and Lee Daniel's relationship. It seems that Cross and Daniels shared an apartment in Springfield and Cross was someone who Daniels considered a friend until Cross led an unsuccessful coup against his roommate.

If he would do that to his "best friend," how can his word be trusted?

No, I think it's time that conservatives stand up and say, "Wait a minute! What's the hurry?"

Everything should be in the open and out in the sunshine. No more smoked-filled rooms where the decisions are made for the benefit of the few.

Call your Republican State Representatives today! Tell them that we don't need to move so fast, that it is better to take the time to sort these issues out and bring the party together.

Change is what was demanded by the voters of the Republican party and voters always get what they want, even if it takes another battle.

As early as next Monday, November 18, 2002, the House Republicans may vote to replace Rep. Lee Daniels as their leader. There are two representatives running for this position: Rep. Art Tenhouse and Rep. Tom Cross.

Rep. Art Tenhouse votes pro-life /pro-family. Rep. Tom Cross votes pro-abortion/anti-family.

The minority leader has great influence over what legislation is introduced and voted on in the House.

We must stop Tom Cross from being elected as minority leader.

Unfortunately, several of our pro-life legislators have indicated that they will vote for Tom Cross. We cannot let this happen. If your representative is listed below you must call him/her and tell them that for Tom Cross is not acceptable! (Note: Not all who are listed are pro-life, but all are Republican and will vote for either Temhouse or Cross. They need to hear from you TODAY!)

Roger Eddy - Central Switchboard: 217/782-2000

Jim Sacia - " " "

David Wirsing - 815/748-3494

Dave Winters - 815/282-0083

Tim Schmitz - 630/879-6655

Skip Saviano - 708/453-7547

Terry Parke - 847/882-0270

Carole Pankau - 630/582-0390

Rich Myers - Macomb - 309/836-2707

Don Moffitt - Gilson - 309/343-8000

Bill Mitchell - Decatur - 217/775-4701

Mike McAuliffe - 773/792-0749

Eileen Lyons - 708/352-7700

Renee Kosel - 815/462-3838

Randy Hultgren - 630/221-0340

Brent Hassert - 630/739-7063

Dan Brady - 309/663-2455

Patti Bellock - 620/852-8633

Brower- 217/632-7106

Please act now! Please tell your friends & family to call! This is crucial! If you have a Republican State Rep call and tell them not to have this meeting until the Chairman comes back into the state, we need to slow this down and take our time finding a new leader.

Jim

==>James Fenimore Cooper ( The American Democrat,1838)