Update: IL GOP Death Spiral

“Better to illuminate than merely to shine, to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate.” – St. Thomas Aquinas

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23 January 2009 3 Comments

In facebook, I have been receiving periodic updates from John Cornyn, Ken Blackwell, Bobby Jindal, and other GOP leaders who I follow regarding regaining a national footing. All appear to have a positive message on how the party can move forward, which is really the only way one can go when your back is up against the wall. Still, instead of griping and ankle biting, these leaders have demonstrated that they have ideas worth swaying lost voters.

Andy McKenna, Chairman, Illinois Republican Party

About a week ago, I authored a post explaining why I think the Illinois Republican Party and its leader, Andy McKenna are in a self-induced death spiral. After reading posts on the facebook site for the Illinois Republican Party, I am not given much further hope.

On the other hand, I am happy to see that Mr. McKenna has changed his headline message on the Illinois GOP home page from calls for a special election to something a little more positive written by Ryan Keith of the State Journal Register:

“As chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, Andy McKenna’s job is to be the optimist, the guy building grassroots support and raising money to lead the party to political victory. It isn’t easy, with a Democratic stranglehold on state politics.”

I’m glad to see that at least the first page of the site is not going to turn potential voters away. A good start.

But, if that were it, I would not be wasting time typing. After my initial entry, I went to the facebook IL GOP site to add comments about being positive and encouraging ideas instead of daggers. I received positive feedback from a fellow poster who wrote:

“I agree with [WCWindbag's] post. What’s done is done in terms of the post election status of the Republican Party. We need to be promoting a positive message that will attract people to the cause, not just beating a dead horse by hating on liberals. We have a unique opportunity to make a move in this Blue state. Let’s craft a message, focus on the positives and leave hating to the liberals.”

Amen. But if you were to try and find my original comment, you would be sadly disappointed.

I guess when the Party comes and asks for my money the next election cycle I can say, “Sorry, I sent all my money to John Cornyn.” Ahem, John Cornyn does not currently see Illinois as a potential battlefield.