Posted by
Juliana Johnson on Monday, December 15, 2008 12:50:48 PM
Six months ago, the conviction of Tony Rezko on federal corruption
charges was met with unrestrained glee by those with leadership titles
in the Illinois Republican Party.
On November 4, Illinois
Republicans lost two longtime GOP Congressional seats (those vacated by
Hastert, Weller), a net three State Representative seats, and witnessed
the incursion of Democrats on to county boards in what were once the
hallowed Republican collar counties of Will, DuPage and McHenry.
Last
week, the arrest of Rod Blagojevich on federal corruption charges was
met with unrestrained glee by those with leadership titles in the
Illinois Republican Party.
They love that hamster wheel.
There
is virtual unanimity that Blagojevich should be removed from office. If
he declines to take the stairs, he will be exited out the window.
Either way, he is done.
What is less clear is whether
Republicans can make contact with the spinning curve ball that has been
lobbed in their direction or if they will remain content to boo the
pitcher from the stands.
Early indications are not encouraging as the state Republican Party just released
a television commercial
in support of a special election for Obama's U.S. Senate seat that
attacks Lt. Governor Pat Quinn while referencing Lisa Madigan, Mike
Madigan and Dick Durbin as "leaders".
Putting Pat Quinn in the
crosshairs on corruption while promoting the Madigans and Durbin as
part of the solution is like attempting to take down a Colombian drug
cartel by targeting the teenage drug mule while lauding the kingpins as
job-creating small businessmen.
So before those in charge of
the Illinois Republican Party endorse Lisa Madigan for Governor or make
some other such counter-intuitive offering, let me suggest in vain what
I have suggested party leaders do since the Rezko conviction.
Two things.
First,
make the "Chicago 9" wear the jacket for what has occurred on their
watch. It is not just Blagojevich. It is also Rich Daley, Emil Jones,
Mike & Lisa Madigan, Jesse White, Dan Hynes, Alexi Giannoulias and
Todd Stroger. These nine Chicago Democrats control $70 billion worth of
government and 125,000 public sector jobs in Illinois. They operate the
levers of power in this state. They should all be held to account.
Second,
instead of exhibiting unbridled jubilation, Republicans should display
humility and contrition. Apologize to Illinois citizens for past bad
acts and bad actors (particularly with George Ryan inconveniently in
the news again). Explain to Illinoisans that the party as it existed a
decade ago is not the party that it is today, that there are new
leaders emerging with fresh ideas that substantively address the
salient concerns of Illinois families. Petition for their renewed
consideration in the wake of what the Chicago 9 have wrought.
If Republicans cannot distinguish themselves in this environment, then we will deserve our irrelevant status.