Quote Of The Day
From former Augustana College professor Jim Winship concerning the prospects for Republicans in the 17th Congressional District:
“If Andrea Zinga can’t unseat Evans in failing health and then two years later can’t defeat Phil Hare in his first run for office, even when there are lingering resentments over the process that gave Phil Hare the nomination, then the future is pretty bleak for almost any Republican candidate”.
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“QC Examiner Hates Hare”—Quincy City Desk Blog
“Backward thinking, deluded right wing fool…”—The Oracle
email: qcexaminer-at-msn-dot-com
In my opinion, the problem stems from no one taking a leadership role in RICO to be aggressive and to plan for the future.
RICO Republicans think in terms of the next election, rather than being deliberate and understanding that it may take 5-6 years to get even a foothold.
They need to start looking at how to groom potential candidates for a position 5+ years away.
They need to recruit young people today to get involved in City or County politics, build a resume, and take small steps.
I suggested to them in early 2006 that they needed to recruit someone to assist Zinga in her campaign in an effort to learn the District, meet the people in the District, make contacts, learn the game. If Zinga won (which even then was a solid longshot), they’d have someone that could assist her in the District. If she lost (which was apparent from early on), then they would have someone who could run in 2008 and actually have an idea of how to get things moving in a positive direction.
But to think that it cannot be done because a newscaster couldn’t get it done, is silly. It can be done, but it takes planning, organization, tireless effort - and that does not describe anyone in the RICO Republican Party.
Comment by tiger woods | April 28, 2008
I agree tiger. If nothing else, the RICO GOP should allow young Republicans (if they exist in RICO) to at least be slated to run for positions at the County Courthouse. As I’ve mentioned before, in the 30 years I’ve lived in the ILQCs, I don’t believe a Republican has ever been elected to ANY courthouse position. So what if they lose, at least they will gain some experience.
I’d love to know what the thinking (or NOT) behind the total abdication of responsibility by the RICO GOP is. They sit on the sidelines and watch the Dems destroy two-party government, but hey, what’s the big deal?
I’d ask the RICO GOP myself, but the RICO GOP chair won’t return my emails. Shocking, I know.
Hmmmmm. Maybe you could help us out there tiger. hint!hint!
Comment by qcexaminer | April 28, 2008
Tiger is no longer roaming the QC’s and cannot do anything to help. I have moved out of the area - I had it with winters and a perpetually sluggish economy.
How do enough people get rounded up to make something happen? In reality, Zinga is well positioned to lead a charge/ a change. Maybe someone can get to her and see if she’d take up the effort. I do not know her well enough to know if she has the vision, the organizational skills or the dynamic personality that it would take to start the process and see it through - as it could be a 10-year+ effort.
It needs to start with a well organized grass roots effort. Every precinct needs to be filled. Every neighborhood needs to be covered. In the day and age of personal computers/ e-mail, it should be easy to stay on this. It is a simple process of leveraging the right people.
One sees who is a good and active precinct person. This is the small group of people that are considered to run for small offices.
You fill every race. You stop giving the Democrats a free run. You campaign nicely and educate the voting public, rather than beating up the Democrats.
You look at the larger offices 3 or 4 years early.
Is there anyone in the Illinois QC-area that has the time, the skills and the desire to do this? It appears as though Zinga has the time, likely the desire - the skills, I do not know. Anyone else come to mind?
Comment by tiger woods | April 29, 2008
The only GOPer I know of who has openly expressed dismay at the lack of fielding a challenger to Hare is the Knox Co. GOP chair, Marc Young—-but I’ve never heard anyone around these parts say “boo” about how the local GOP has failed so miserably.
Maybe I’ll email the local press to see if they will get on the case.
Comment by qcexaminer | April 29, 2008
I think that there is another way to look at the Congressional situation in the 17th. A Republican is not the only one that can bring about change - a centrist Democrat would be a better option until the district is redrawn. The RICO Dems have controlled that position for nearly 30 years - you could conceivably form a coalition of moderate Republicans and centrist Democrats to give Hare a real challenge - it might have to be in the primary, but that would be better than not fielding a candidate in the general election. Tiger is right about the lack of business development in Western Illinois - Republicans are not the only ones that want the 17th to experience growth and prosperity. After 30 years of the same philosophy a change is most definitely needed.
Comment by Rob Mellon | April 29, 2008
I hope Mr. Mellon is right. Rob would be a much better voice for our district. Hopefully, Hare today gone tommorrow!
Comment by AnnWilliams | April 30, 2008