This may be the first sign of a sea change for the Illinois Republicans as Senator Christine Radogno of Lemont was selected last night as the Senate Republicans new minority leader (and the first woman to hold the post), replacing my friend Frank Watson of Greenville, who left the post after a recent minor stroke. I've met Radogno on many occasions (often during her run for State Treasurer a few years back), as she is a frequent visitor to Lake County and has spoken at a number of GOP events. She is a smart, balanced senator with an acumen for budget issues, and is a social moderate, which should help bridge some gaps in the IL GOP, if the ultra-right wingers will give her a chance.
Meanwhile, the Dems elected Senator John Cullerton as their majority leader, with our 30th District State Senator Terry Link getting only 3 votes for himself. I believe it was Link voting for himself, his senate henchman Michael Bond, and one other senator that I'm pretty sure was NOT Susan Garrett, who reportedly can't stand Link. I'll check on that later this morning.
Radogno's pick gives me some optimism this morning that the IL GOP may be taking itself in a new direction, which almost everyone agrees in necessary. Whether they will agree that this is the right direction may portend the future for our party. Based on some of the comments over at conservative blog Illinois Review, it looks like not everyone agrees, but I can tell you that if this party doesn't start coming together, we're cooked.
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6 comments:
I first met Senator Radogno during Senator Geo-Karis' last campaign. She gave some very intelligent reasons for her positions on that race at that time and did so in a respectful and firm manner. She was open to considering competing views and took the time to listen to them, as opposed to merely stating her opinion then walking away, as I had initially expected. Although I disagreed with her at the time, I was impressed with her as well. Since that date I have been an admirer of hers. Since that date she has always gone out of her way to greet me at events we both attend.
She will represent Republicans well in these times in Springfield. One of the best qualities of a leader is the ability to listen to all sides and then act accordingly. Senator Radogno meets those standards quite well.
Having the ability to be a consensus builder is a great asset in the political world. Those with that ability can accomplish quite a bit. Senator Radogno will lead the Springfield Senate Republicans well and with distinction using those qualities.
Louis G. Atsaves
Senator Radogno, even though she's a moderate, has worked hard to elect Republicans of all stripes, including conservatives Matt Murphy and Dan Duffy.
Republicans have succeeded in breaking the glass ceiling of the Illinois legislature by electing the first female leader of either caucus and either party. We should be proud of that...
I hope, TA, you keep us posted on Sen. Radogno's progress because your voice is in important to balancing the debate in this Party.
Thanks for the post and keep up the good work.
Her daughter used to work for Weller and is now a Kirk staffer I believe. Dillard should be banished for making an ad for Obama, but I'm not so high on this woman until she shows that she has teeth and some serious new ideas.
Link went from being the #2 senate democrat to dreaming (or hallucinating) of being #1 to losing his dream and his original #2 spot and now maybe out of leadership altogether. For a guy that claims to understand politics he severely misjudged this one. He could have cut a deal with Clayborne and at least have been in leadership. A bigger question is why did Bond follow this hack off the cliff? Two Democrats from Lake County that saw their fortunes go from very bright after the November 4th election to now wondering what happened. Can you say ARROGANCE (as in Link) and STUPIDITY (as in Bond).
The third vote was Noland out of Elgin. Say what you want about Garrett and there is a lot to be said, she is no fool. Anybody out there could have seen the writing on the wall regarding Link actually getting the Senate President spot.
Isn't Link staying in Leadership? With only three votes mustered up, I did find it a bit unusual that he didn't drop out and throw his support to another.
Louis G. Atsaves
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