Illinois Review

McKenna 'splains poll controversy to State Central Committee today

Even though Illinois Review asked the State Party to confirm Michael Sneed's report that the State Central Committee was opening an ethics probe about a poll conducted last April that included McKenna's name, we couldn't get an answer from Executive Director Curt Conrad. And the McKenna campaign would only say "No comment," so this is from the Tribune's Clout Page:

Republican governor candidate Andy McKenna meets with state party leaders today to discuss questions about a poll conducted with GOP funds that included his name while he was the Illinois party chairman. His Republican opponents in the Feb. 2 primary are accusing McKenna of being unethical, but a McKenna representative says it wasn't McKenna's idea. The candidate himself has yet to speak publicly about the situation.

It wasn't McKenna's idea? And he was State Party Chairman at the time? Okay, get ready for an IL GOP staffer -- probably one that followed McKenna to his gubernatorial bid -- to take the fall on this one. "He made me do it" (with finger pointing) may be the defense. Stay tuned.

Wonder if the SCC will endorse for governor and US Senate while they're together?

Illinois Governor's Race: What Should a Conservative Do?

by John Brown's Ghost

Last night, I was talking to a person I respect tremendously in terms of their conservative take on the issues.  They related to me a recent meeting they had with a number of other conservatives.  At the end of the meeting, this person asked the assembled handful of people who they would vote for in the Governor's race.  There were five different answers.  Surprising, but when you read the daily back and forth comments here on Illinois Review, it is not tremendously surprising.

In this year's Governor's race, there are two very apparent things that come to mind.  A) None of the candidates are really lighting the world on fire, and B) if there was EVER a year to take back the Governor's mansion (Rod never used it, so I don't know if we are taking it back or not), this would be the year.  Good grief, the Democrats have run the state into the ground, so you would think voters would be ready for a new start with Republicans.  That is why point A above is so distressing.

McKenna/Murphy endorsed by Beaubien, Osmond

from McKenna/Murphy campaign

CHICAGO – Republican Gubernatorial candidate Andy McKenna and Lieutenant Governor candidate Matt Murphy announced endorsements today from State Representatives Mark Beaubien and JoAnn Osmond.

Quinn responds to McKenna ad

from the McKenna/Murphy campaign

CHICAGO – Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy McKenna called on Governor Pat Quinn to stop hiding the truth from Illinois voters about the fact that Illinois is on the brink of bankruptcy and that our unemployment is at record levels.

“It is time Governor Quinn leveled with the people about the fact Illinois, with an eleven billion dollar deficit, is on the brink of bankruptcy,” said McKenna. “The Chicago Tribune reported that yesterday, responding to the latest McKenna/Murphy campaign ad saying he’s hiding the truth, Quinn defended his statement that he has “missions accomplished” on the issues of the budget and job creation by saying, "I think the people of Illinois are a lot happier today, in November of 2009, than they were at the beginning of this year.”

Andy McKenna "New Generation" Leader

by Lee Newcom

Radio WLS 890 News noted this morning that Andy McKenna has been criticized for not being a strong leader of the Illinois Republican Party. McKenna appeared on WLS' Don & Roma Show this morning, with Republican House Leader Tom Cross, who was there to endorse McKenna for Governor. Cross described McKenna as providing leadership for this state that has none. Wade asked McKenna, with some build up about McKenna being at the armory, having his spear and being ready for battle, what he was going to lead on, what is the big vision, what are you telling the people of Illinois you are going to do....

"Well, we're calling out Pat Quinn about the spending," and, "..we're gonna take a hard look at things..."

ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Oh, McKenna also said he was the "new generation" of Republican leadership. 

Pardon me, I have to leave to go to U-Haul to buy some moving boxes. I'll get in line behind all the business owners. McKenna is probably about to dump $4-8 million of his own money into his primary campaign and will win the nomination.

Schillerstrom: Yawn. Springfield Leader endorses party insider

from the Schillerstrom for Governor campaign

NAPERVILLE – Gubernatorial candidate Bob Schillerstrom on Thursday released the following statement regarding 16-year State Representative and current Republican Leader Tom Cross’ endorsement of former U.S. Senate Candidate and former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna for Governor:

“Our campaign promises to overturn a Springfield culture that has landed Illinois in fiscal crisis, delivered double-digit unemployment and earned a national reputation for corruption. We look to bring new leadership and a dramatically different approach to state government that will end the quick-fix, reactionary mentality that defines Springfield today.

Big Wigs: Andy, if the wig fits, wear it

from the Proft for Governor campaign

Illinois is in a quiet state of crisis. I say a quiet crisis because through years of corruption and neglect, the conditions have been created for Illinois’ financial collapse. The day of reckoning has not yet come but the numbers clearly indicate that it is coming if evasive policy action is not taken.

When it comes and those left in Illinois are forced to

McKenna says Schillerstrom's accusations are "more inside politics"

Yesterday, Illinois Review posted GOP gubernatorial candidate DuPage Co Chairman Bob Schillerstrom's criticism of former IL GOP chairman Andy McKenna allegedly misusing party resources to prepare for his own candidacy, and this morning Public Affairs' Jeff Berkowitz reports McKenna's response at his announcement yesterday in Chicago:

As to Republican Gov candidate Bob Schillerstrom’s allegations that McKenna, Jr. was getting proprietary information [as Party chairman] from the potential candidates at the same time as he was planning to run for something, that’s just “more inside politics.” McKenna tried to move on, saying he is going to talk about job creation, solving the spending problem, solving the corruption problem.

When challenged that he didn’t answer the above question, McKenna said the state party does polls at all times, it does that as it goes forward in election cycles…

Schillerstrom responds to McKenna announcement

from the Bob for Illinois campaign

NAPERVILLE – Gubernatorial candidate Bob Schillerstrom on Tuesday released the following statement regarding former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna’s decision to run for Governor:

“Andy McKenna accepted a leadership position running the Illinois Republican Party when it was in desperate need of unity and new direction. During his years as Chairman, Illinois Republicans did not win a single statewide race, our Party became more divided than ever, and ultimately Andy quit early, saying it was better for the Party to move forward with new leadership.

“Now he says he wants to be Governor.

Andy McKenna: Mayor Daley's Candidate for Governor

from the Proft for Governor campaign

(Chicago, IL) – In response to Andy McKenna’s announcement this morning, conservative Republican candidate Dan Proft released the following statement:

"Andy McKenna’s entrance into this race clarifies the choice Republican primary voters have. We can nominate a candidate beholden to a small group of affluent political insiders who give money to both parties. They win when Republicans get elected; they win when Democrats get elected. Either way, you lose.