Top 2005 Illinois conservative stories
Here's Illinois Review's list of top political stories in 2005:
Big conservative story #1: The Democrats cut a sweet state budget deal -- without one Republican vote -- built on delaying state employee pension payments. So confident that they won't need the approval of Republicans for the next year's budget either, Democratic leaders Emil Jones and Mike Madigan plan the upcoming session to adjourn in early April.
Big conservative story #2: With the help of every Democrat in the General Assembly, Governor Blagojevich passes nation's most expansive universal health care program with All Kids. He bypasses the legislature to set up taxpayer-funded embryonic stem cell research. He forces pharmacists to disperse so-called emergency contraceptives against their religious convictions.
Big conservative story #3: The governor faces accusations of campaign kickbacks and hiring deals as well as a Democratic primary challenger in 2006.
Cynical prediction for top 2006 conservative story: Republican conservatives are unable to take advantage of obvious weaknesses in current administration and unwilling to coalesce around one gubernatorial candidate; Democrats' abuse of power continues as majority increases in both houses . . .
Cross posted at IllinoisReview.com.
17 comments:
I'll add to those 2006 predictions.
Not only will Rod be re-elected, but the IL Senate and House Democrats will gain seats, and the US House will fall under a Democratic majority.
And the easiest prediction to make for 2006 (well, we could make this for every election year in Illinois) is the failing of the IL GOP to work together...the right will do everything they can to destroy the party, rather than see moderates win.
Happy New Year.
Conservative and Liberal have become obstacles for me.
Most Liberals I know, no longer seem very Liberal to me.
Ownership society sounds a lot more Radical.
Anon,
What moderates? One could just as easily say that Republican Liberals are more interested in destroying their own chances for poltical power than they are in giving conservatives anything to vote for.
Name one policy a conservative could support Topinka on?
Not being Rod doesn't count as an issue.
Both will hike taxes next term.
Both will do what the Education Lobby tells them too (But Rod would put up more of a fight)
___
You are high re: Congress. Nationally, Dems are as FUBAR as Republicans are here.
One more "wiretapping" story, and Bush will be at 60%.
Contact me off the blog and we'll make a bet. Republicans pick up house and senate seats in Congress.
You are correct about Illinois, of course, but for the wrong reason.
Topinka will destroy Republican turn out. 2 seats per chamber losses at least. Too bad McKenna can't see this.
60%? Who's high now? Rahm is going to run circles around House Republicans, this man simply knows how to win...remember, his boss was impeached and kept an approval rating about 55%.
I could care less what conservatives in this state think/do...they had their chance with Keyes and look how that turned out...what was that, 24%? And please, let me stop you from bringing up Peter Fitzgerald, that was no conservative movement, it was a horrible incumbent that got him elected.
Anyway, just my thoughts...I would never say they're right or wrong...you should try the same.
Cheers
"Name one policy a conservative could support Topinka on?"
How about keeping government off our backs and out of our bedrooms?
Limited government?
But I forgot. People in Illinois who claim to be "conservative" are really big-government types who wan the government in your bedrooms and religion in your schools.
Fran must be on the New Year's Eve sauce a little early, because she missed:
1. Death of IL Leader :(
2. IL '05 Conservative of the Year Alan "The Breeze" Keyes declared MIA
3. Steve Whinenburger and BrickheadJoe outed to run with Libs
4. Cal "Sweaty Palms" Skinner sharing his bright ideas on Illinoize
5.AccordianGal naming BrickheadJoe to chair her Gay Pride Parade float committee
6.ChopperJim hiring the Hooters Blimp for the GayPride Parade.
7. Marcia'sBrother naming Sen.Rutherford to .....
Yeah another big year for the TIn Foil Helmets.
Can't wait for the "save the date" cards for the Bushie/Rove rally for AccordianGal.
The conservative event of the year (of the last decade) was Fran Eaton finally admitting that PAUL CAPRIO WAS RIGHT. And that Fran led conservatives down the path to perdition with Jack Ryan, Alan Keyes, and GEORGE RYAN. Fran has been been destructive to Republicans and conservatives.
Skeeter,
You raise an interesting point. However, as of this moment, Topinka hasn't uttered a word about any issue.
(save letting it be leaked that she might be to the right of Rod on parental notification)...
Which, BTW, seems to a backing into that bedroom you are so worried about.
Frankly, if I believed her, I'd give her credit for the stance, but she's BSing on the issue, knowing that a veto proof Democrat house and senate (which she will help bring about) won't put a parental notification bill on the floor.
Regardless, given that her entire campaign is "It's my turn and I have name recognition", I see no evidence that she'll be "out of our bedrooms."
I'll stretch your metaphor further, and promise you that her tax increases will reach into our bedrooms, garages, yards, and even bathrooms, as she kowtows to the spending interests that control this poor state.
The idea that JBT will keep government off our backs is absurd on its face.
EW:
You raise an interesting point. However, I think it is a bit early in the campaign for her to nail down positions. She has an interesting problem. If she goes old-line limited government conservative, she will never get the nomination. The ILGOP nominating process has been overrun by the people who think that since churches are doing a bad job, we need to have the government teach us about religion. The ILGOP likes big government telling employers who they can hire and fire, and what people can do when the doors are closed.
However, if JBT plays to that side to get the nomination, people like me will hold our noses and vote for Blago despite the fact that he has done little to earn a second term.
Regarding tax increases: I have seen what alleged conservatives do when they take power [See Example W] and the result is big government, more entitlements, and since taxes are NOT raised, our kids will have to pick up the tab. If we are going to spend, then we should pay now.
The ILGOP likes big government telling employers who they can hire and fire
How's that? How does government staying out of the issue translate to "government telling employers who they can hire and fire"? Government staying out is the limited government position you allegedly favor.
I love it when you guys fight among yourselves!
Bring it on!~
angelus2 said...
"The ILGOP likes big government telling employers who they can hire and fire
How's that? How does government staying out of the issue translate to "government telling employers who they can hire and fire"? Government staying out is the limited government position you allegedly favor."
Skeeter Response:
That's very nice, but that is not the new conservative position.
Example A: See the De Paul case, where alleged conservatives want to tell De Paul who it can and cannot keep on staff. Conservatives want to tell the employer that it must retain an employee who makes a rude gesture to students. Sounds like Big Government to me.
Example B:
See yesterday's Nineth Circuit opinion regarding Joshua Josephs.
The opinion was handed down by a judge appointed by Ronald Reagan, holding that Pacific Bell was wrong to fire a technician who killed a guy (not guilty by reason of insanity). The guy was also convicted of assaulting a police officer.
That sure sounds like Big Government, doesn't it?
That surely sounds big government. Private employers should be able to hire and fire anybody they choose for any reason they choose (so long as existing contracts are not violated).
It surely sounds in these cases like the conservative and liberal positions are indistinguishable.
You need to find better entertainment bill...your post makes me sad.
re: Bill
The social issues will not go away. If the Roberts court starts pushing issues like Abortion, same sex marriage, end-of-life (which by the way I think is missing from this list), then these issues will go into the State Legislatures.
A lot of Pols who have had free passes just saying Yes or No on tests like this, are suddenly going to have to vote on real legislation. Voters will have to vote on real amendments.
A party that's intelligently debated what's the State Governments appropriate stance might have a leg up on another party.
I guess the key here is intellligent debate outside of a circle of shooters.
Don't think this will go away by not talking about it though. I see it coming like an Engine down the tracks.
anon 1:09:
Im sorry that my comments make you sad. That wasn't my intention.
Bill Barr:
I think that most democrats know which side of Buchannan's culture war we are on. We also disagree and argue on issues but, for the most part, we are against gov't intrusion into our personal lives. We don't care about the war on xmas, the war on marriage, and so on. And yes, we have our single issue zealots and wingnuts that we tolerate and patronize and ignore except at election time.
The fact is Illinois is a blue state and is getting bluer. The state constitution is fine as it is and not in need of revision. We are the majority, we have the numbers, we will remain in control of both the ex and leg branches at the state level.
I really would like one of the many conservative candidates for gov to win their primary and put these philosophical issues to the test so the voters could have a real choice. That doesn't seem likely.
Given the choice between a liberal dem or a liberal repub I'll stick with the dem and will not lose no matter who wins.
Happy new year everyone!
Bill: In all honesty, I'm not sure who the we is your speaking for here.
My point is the social issues are valid issues and should be talked about. I think they can be talked about without self destructing. I think the ground is shifing a good deal on them too.
That Blagojevich found a need to almost covertly sign in the law on "born alive" is curious. What is it about his Party that they can't talk about such fundamental issues out in the open.
Post a Comment