Volume 133 11-23-02 @ 4:56 PM(cst)
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Volume 133 11-23-02 @ 4:56 PM(cst) |
Plus -- The Conservative Quote of the Day
Don't turn party over to TopinkaTHOMAS ROESER |
State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka may well be the best choice for Illinois GOP chairman--but I doubt it. Yes, she won handily in a debacle year for the state GOP. Yes, she plays a wonderful accordion, is an infectious happy warrior. Yes, she has a warm relationship with Chicago Democratic Representatives Bill Lipinski and Bobby Rush to the extent that Rush even endorsed her re-election. But the lady brings to the table a liberal left social issues posture that could well split the party base. Now is the time to get clear about a party's base. It is formed of those who are infused with the core values of the organization. In most elections, a candidate wins by holding onto the party's base and at the same time extending his or her appeal to other voting blocs. Ronald Reagan is an ideal case in point. He was the most conservative president in 50 years. Everyone knew his beliefs. The base was happy, and lo and behold, others came to him, drawn by his personal magnetism and integrity. Reagan never disavowed his party's base. Sometimes he had to accept defeat in Congress, but he always made his points clear as to where his views differed with the legislation he might have had to sign. And so to his side came those with other views who accepted his leadership on certain key issues. Topinka once reflected her party's base, but as a state official has embraced abortion and gay rights. A good question remains: How can she guide a party whose base reflects the position of President Bush on these issues and a national GOP platform that runs contrary to her views on these social concerns? If she supports the platform, she contradicts her earlier positions. If she says that the platform doesn't matter and only winning does, she becomes values-neutral, which breeds cynicism. The best thing for her to do, if she indeed becomes chairman, is to appoint an executive council composed of conservatives from various interest groups that comprise the base: pro-family adherents, those who support gun owners' rights, and those who oppose tax increases. They can convince her that for many years the party's base has been ignored in Illinois. George Ryan ran and was elected governor as a conservative-to-moderate Republican, consistent with the party's base on most issues. It was only after his election that he disavowed the base. Topinka would have to resurrect the base that elected Ryan, the base that elected Peter Fitzgerald senator, and add to it certain non-contradictory segments that might respond to her genuinely warm political personality. It is possible for her to do it, but quite difficult. Even so, her own political role as state treasurer could easily get in the way. It would be far better for the party to find someone who does not hold elective office and who can come to the job with credentials that appeal to the party base. The next GOP chairman must be a spokesman for a party that has no leader. It is a shame that Gary MacDougal, who was an able spokesman, cannot continue. The idea that MacDougal must pay a price for the losing state ticket is ridiculous. But if he is to go, then let the party find someone in the MacDougal mold: a fiscal and social conservative with superb organizing credentials and an ability to articulate issues in a clear and convincing way. With the state House Republican leader, Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego), a vehement pro-choicer and close buddy of Gov.-elect Rod Blagojevich, it is essential that the Illinois GOP have a chairman with a free hand to build a strong organization that reflects the position of Bush on major questions. That can only be done with a chairman who will not waffle with embarrassment when the media brings up the contrast between the president's social views and her own. It's my hope that in the end, the state chairman will not be the state treasurer, but someone else who can rally the disheartened base. Let Judy play her accordion at GOP rallies, but let the words and score be in harmony with the national party. |
HELP MacDOUGAL SAVE THE ILLINOIS GOPJoe Wiegand, FTN Executive Director |
| Enemies of families, taxpayers and children are ready to take their next move to retain their grip on the reigns of Republican power in Illinois. Fresh from purchasing the House Republican leadership post for liberal Rep. Tom Cross, the insiders have their knives out, and they are aimed clearly at Gary MacDougal’s back. The Illinois Republican Party has benefited from Gary MacDougal’s Now that the election is over, Gary is ready to apply his skills as a The Illinois Republican State Central Committee is poised to call a meeting, While you are at it, call the White House, your Member of Congress, Senator |
George Washington's Thanksgiving ProclamationGeorge Washington - October 3, 1789 |
| WHEREAS, It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; WHEREAS, Both the houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:" Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted' for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have show kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best. |
Conservative Quote of the Day |
| "Our best protection against bigger government in Washington is better government in the states." ==>– Dwight D. Eisenhower |
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