On the Passing and Presidency of Ronald Reagan
Despairing over the gap between where we are and where we need to be with Illinois political leadership led me to take last week off from writing a column — and then on Saturday, President…
Read MoreDispatches
Karl Rove’s Job at the Illinois GOP Convention
This year it’s Karl Rove’s job to impact the course of history. His boss’ reelection and four years of American leadership are in his hands. How well he does his job can make or…
Read MoreBaby Boomers, Barack Obama, and War
“Was it moral suasion that made Qaddafi see the wisdom of giving up his weapons of mass destruction? Or Iran agree for the first time to spot nuclear inspections? It was the suasion of…
Read MoreMorality and the ‘Homosexual Rights’ Debate
The subject of “homosexual rights” is controversial for many reasons. Too many Americans, in spite of all their supposed enlightenment and tolerance, can’t handle the voicing of certain strong opinions particularly if those opinions include talk about morality.
Read MoreThe Denny Hastert Predicament
In the sports business, skill and judgment are still what counts when it comes to winning and turning a profit. That stands in contrast to politics and government, where you can succeed just by…
Read MoreThe Need for Republican Outsourcing
Many Illinois Republicans are less than encouraged fourteen months into the reign of the new General Assembly leadership. Like fans unhappy with the performance of their team, they’re still awaiting evidence that the new…
Read MoreSchool Funding and AWOL Republicans
One of the biggest news stories of late has been the funding “crisis” experienced by Illinois public schools. The single most amazing aspect of this story has been the almost total lack of debate…
Read MoreChanging Demographics: The ILGOP Excuse Du Jour
Those of us who agree with the founding principles of Constitutional and limited government understand that this nation was set up as the result of a successful public argument. What took place between 1787…
Read MoreWhat is a ‘moderate’ Republican?
A few months ago an Illinois state rep told me that there wasn’t much difference between the Republicans and Democrats in Springfield. Looking at the voting record of Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) and…
Read MoreWhat to Know About the Modern IL GOP
Where we are as an Illinois Republican Party is not the result of the disastrous 2002 elections. It dates back to the 1970s, when the national party was sent packing and mal-motivated members of…
Read MoreNew Conversations and Political Tin Ears
A statesman must be a transcendent teacher. He must ‘take the whole nation to school.’ — from Morton Frisch & Richard Stevens’ book, American Political Thought A confident candidate can rally the base while…
Read MoreWhat U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald Should Do
“I’m thinking about trying to make sure Peter has an opponent…I think we can do better than him.” — Illinois Republican Congressman Ray LaHood as quoted in the Chicago Sun-Times, November 25, 2002 referring…
Read MoreCross, Tenhouse, and the Importance of Ideas
“To get good government means to get consent to good governors, and this is the political problem.” So said political science scholar Walter Berns in 1965. Media reports say today is the day for…
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