GOP candidates commence punching in Homer Glen

Take time to review last night's back and forth between GOP gubernatorial candidates at the Joliet  and Lockport Tea Party's forum in Homer Glen. These guys are beginning to know each other enough to begin some punches that stirred the audience and reaction from punchees. Last night's forum was the most lively yet.

Proft and Andrzejewski took the first punches at incumbents and then each other, and by the end of the evening, they all began beating on Andy McKenna, who, organizers said, agreed to come Monday, then backed out again late yesterday.  The organizers had a tough question prepared for McKenna, so they asked his fellow candidates his question in his absence.  McKenna had better be ready for this gangup tonight at his first forum appearance as a candidate.  The others are riled that he's entering late and as IL GOP Chairman, had been briefed on their fund-raising strategy and campaign plans before he declared his own candidacy for governor.   

Suffice to say, in IR's humble opinion, last night's debate may have been a game changer.  It was that important.  The people we spoke to ... randomly.. were looking for non-establishment candidates.  As non-party affiliated conservative independents, they 1. didn't like Schillerstrom's pro anti-abortion, anti-conceal and carry answers, 2. didn't like Dillard doing a campaign ad for Barack Obama, and 3. didn't have much to say about Bill Brady one way or another.  Most we talked to said they were either for Proft or Andrzejewski -- but had some problems with both.  They don't quite trust Proft yet and Andrzejewski seems a little naive, they said. 

Tonight's GOP debate is likely to be a little more tame and less confrontive, but McKenna had better have his right guard up.  As for Jim Ryan, there's a mystery as to how he'll be received. 

We're updating the Homer Glen info as we speak and will provide more info as we can today ...

Comments

[Joe Wooten]

McKenna is part of the Combine, and therefore part of the problem. He has no business running for governor. Most I talked to last night still resent the part he played in the Ryan/Topinka ouster of Peter Fitzgerald that gave the senate seat to that 0bamanation.

[Brian Patrick]

I was proud to attend last night's event. Question, will Illinois Review be broadcasting tonight's event over the internet? I don't think I should have to spend $200 to hear the candidates speak to the so called "establishment."

Also, It is time that we all stand up and spread the word about how much our God given rights are under attack. Adam and Dan were the only pro-2nd amendment candidates. We must protect and defend our individual rights at all costs.

[MM]

I think the story has an inaccuracy. Schillerstrom is not anti-abortion, he is pro-choice.

[John Bambenek]

WLS-AM is broadcasting the event live. You can stream it from your PC.

[rsandack]

"They don't quite trust Proft yet." Yet?

[A.N.]

The more I hear and see Adam the more I really like him. I am going to write another check for him today.

[David McAloon]

I what to congratulate the Joliet Tea Party & Lockport/Homer Glen Tea Party for a very well run event last night. A estimated 800 people got to hear some very good questions of the all the candidates.

The Kankakee Co. Tea Party is hosting the first Forum for the 11th Congressional District next week Wednesday November 11th, 7:00pm @ the Bourbonnais Community Center.

Again congratulations to the Will County Tea Party Alliance for a great event.

David McAloon
Republican Candidate
IL 11th Congressional District
www.McAloonForCongress.com

[Ture Conservative]

I think IR is being extremely diplomatic with this post.

The truth is Proft won hands down. He had the most precise answers, and energized the crowd. After the event, he was swamped with new-found supporters.

Great Job.

[Dnstate]

Adam and Dan were the only pro-2nd amendment candidates.

Brady is also pro-2A and since he is the only one of the three that can win in the general, I would suggest voting for Brady.

[IR]

John,
Thanks for the info about WLS livestreaming tonight.

And you're right, Schillerstrom is pro-abortion, not anti-abortion. We will correct immediately.

Thanks all!

[Linda]

Proft is quite an entertaining speaker and quite frankly a bit too comical and that does not give him credo to lead our state. I question his credentials as a candidate and do not feel has proven himself. Purely entertaining.

[matt]

And Dillard has been endorsed by the State Rifle Association and is the only candidate who sponsored concealed carry.

How about some accuracy people.

[Get with it.]

Matt - The State Rifle Association does not endorse any candidates. Additionally, Adam, Bill, and Proft all support conceal carry.

[Jerry Vachaparambil]

Adam is fiery and independent, that's why I like him... Every other candidate in this race represents a "status quo" candidate. They appear to be running on tepid sound bites and shopworn platitudes.

He represents a real departure from business as usual and has been running on the same robust ideas and simple solutions as the one's he proposed when he announced on March 1.

Adam really knows what he's talking about. When he came to my school a couple weeks ago he fielded dozens of questions on a wide variety of topics- from education and healthcare to property taxes and tort reform...most of his opponents are well-versed on some issues but none have articulated anything comparable to Adam's...We need affordable healthcare, better education spending, reasonable property taxes and Adam is the only who cares enough to have research teams delving into this very deep. Even if you thought he was a nerd or didn't give him a chance in the past- I strongly encourage you to give him a listen. He will blow your mind. (I don't know if it's the holy spirit, some classes he might have taken, or what! but it's true!)

Adam is the only candidate that can explain how he will help you get what you want and he epitomizes the lesson taught in yesterday's election let's really behind him- and get him elected!

[Pro-Growth, Pro-Proft]

Jerry,

Any reasonable view of last night's debate would identify Dan as the clear winner, Brady a distant second, then Adam. Bob was in a tough place because the room wasn't right for him, these are the most conservative of the conservatives and he's couldn't win. People were three deep at his table signing up and taking yard signs, while the other tables were empty. Watch the video and you'll agree.

There are a lot of nice things to say about Adam, but you really can't say that he has original ideas. Most is cribbed from others and much of his exact phrasings are swiped from Dan in earlier debates. Watch this video and previous forums and you'll see it.

I'm voting for the guy who's got a mind of his own.

Todd

[Jerry Vachaparambil]

Todd,

Voting for the guy who has a mind of his own would be pretty cool if he actually had a state-wide campaign that wasn't concentrated in Chicago. I live in Central Illinois and we haven't even heard about Mr. Proft down here- except for the geeks like me who have some weird obsession with next year's election...

I listened to the debate with one of my friends who was the president of CR's here last year and we both agreed that Adam's performance was pretty stellar. In fact, he told me that Adam reminded him of Peter Fitzgerald.

And about having a mind of his own- it's strange how his 'own mind' was only able to post an issues page a few weeks ago. While Adam's been running on his since he announced on March 1.

Adam is serious, studied and driven. He is truely from outside the system and his goal is to reform that system. Unlike so many current and past candidates he means what he is talking about. His range and breadth of knowledge of the many issues weighing on IL citizens will breakthrough in debate forums. Hopefully there will be a number of them.

[the truth]

Most of Adam's ideas presented on March 1st were stolen from Proft who announced in July? Really? Does Adam have a time machine?

[John Bak]

The commercial released today was good for those who know who McKenna is.

I didn't know who he is until July and I was donating to Adam.

I think it would be MUCH BETTER to emphasize his 'every dime online' idea and 'real reform requires new leadership' theme

[downstate conservative]

Jerry: Proft has been down here to the St. Louis metro-east area (Madison & St. Clair counties) at least twice. Maybe your local party hasn't had any events or hasn't invited him.

[Dorothy]

I was at the meeting last night, and a lively one it was. Most of the questions came from the tea party leaders, and a few came from the floor. When no question was asked about immigration, a man in the audience stood up and shouted it out. The moderator agreed to hear it when the audience pushed. The stage became lively when the men started to jab each other with their answers.

Almost all of the answers were paralleled each other. These guys know their audience. Schillerstrom offers proven budget control, but his answers started to reflect DuPage liberalism. Brady was too polite, the perfect non-committal candidate with a handsome face. Adam's answers were extremely good, but the Daley machine would chew him up while smiling at him. Proft was glib as befits his occupation. He is the ultimate insider. While part of Dillard's voting record is not what I want, I think he is the best choice. He's been around Springfield in many different positions, knows the players and probably how to handle them, could act like a bull if need be (enough to intimidate while smiling), is physically impressive enough for those who vote based on looks alone, and is shrewd enough to take a conservative line if he believes that will keep him in Springfield. I need to see more of him to be sure, but I'm impressed.

Thanks to those who set up the event. The people who came out and were in the audience were politically alive, a great thing to see.