It gets worse for potential Obama opponent Barthwell--she is an addict.

[wndycty]

. . .first of all I have all respect for recovering addicts and salute them for their efforts, but I still find it ironic that the GOP would even consider replacing Jack Ryan, who tried to have kinky sex with his wife, with a woman who was addicted to cocaine, marijuana, alcohol and prescription drugs, not to mention she was reprimanded for lewd behavior .

GOP Senate hopeful engaged in 'lewd' behavior

July 16, 2004

BY SCOTT FORNEK Political Reporter

A former White House deputy drug czar hoping to become the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate was found to have "engaged in lewd and abusive behavior" by joking about the sexual orientation of an underling at an office party.

An internal investigation last year substantiated charges that Dr. Andrea Grubb Barthwell made jokes about a male employee's sexuality after he mistakenly referred to his daughter's boyfriend as "my boyfriend."

In front of a group of co-workers, Barthwell spoke of the man wanting to sit in other men's laps, pretended a kaleidoscope was a male sexual organ and set it pointing upwards on a chair he was about to sit in, according to the report. She also suggested he cut the cake at the party because the knife was "long and hard" and he might enjoy handling it."
-snip-

Barthwell also said she is recovering from addictions to alcohol, cocaine, prescription drugs and marijuana, but has not used any of those substances for 20 years.
-snip-

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-sen16.html

[bluestateguy]

1. The Goopers should write this race off

Barack Obama will carry DuPage County. Landslide!

[papau]

4. But in Lake county they still throw votes from Black areas into DesPlaines

river -

or has that stopped?

But with black women versus black male - oh - what to do!

:-)

[Hoosier Democrat]

2. Hmmm...

Guess I'm just glad that the GOP hasn't nominated anyother second-string homophobes with a past history of alcohol and cocaine use..

Uh, sorry, never mind.

[XNASA]

3. GOP'ers don't care if she's homophobic and/or an addict.......

She's Black and a woman. That's what really upsets them.

[Goldmund]

5. Hahaha what the fuck is up with Illinois GOP?

They are usually good at hiding these things...

[in_cog_ni_to]

6. Her chance of being a candidate

is looking very slim. She seems to have as much baggage as Ditka...if not more. I wonder what made her think her past life wouldn't be a factor after what Jack Ryan just went through? Try again repubs! Or better yet, why not just save your $$$. You're gonna lose anyway.

[wndycty]

8. I want them to have a candidate . . .

In some Congressional Districts the races are very close and I think Obama's coat tails are enough to make a difference. If Obama does not have an opponent then people are less likely to make voting for him a priority thus hurting some Congressional candidates.

[mrboba1]

9. Which is exactly why

they might not field an opponent.
No opposition? No one feels the need to get out to vote.

Fingers crossed for an opponent...

[wndycty]

11. I agree. . .

:kick:

[gratuitous]

7. Standard issue Republican candidate

Lessee: Homophobia, check. History of substance abuse, check. Little regard for others despite a personal past that depended heavily on the kindness of others, checkity check-check.

I'm waiting for the inevitable straight-faced declarations from campaigners that whoever finally steps up to take on this doomed race is "the best person for the job." As that great philosopher Nelson Muntz would say, "Ha hah!"

[leftofthedial]

10. there are no repukes

who don't suck

[SidDithers]

12. Any chance Obama will go unopposed?

or would the GOP need to get someone, anyone on the ballot, just to make sure that there is a decent Republican voter turnout?

Just wondering.

Sid

Edit - nevermind, answered above. :)

[gratuitous]

14. I'm of two minds

One, no opposition, depressed Republican turnout. Illinois goes for Kerry.

Two, bad opposition, I think Illinois remains a Kerry state, and the Republicans have to spend some of their money on a doomed race.

I think I prefer to see the Republicans have to divert some money to Illinois rather than spending all their campaign funds where it might make a difference.

[wndycty]

18. I think bad opposition is better than no opposition. . .

. . .if there is no opposition Illinois voters get lulled to sleep. If there is opposition then we remain motivated. I am not worried at all about Kerry or Obama, but I think we can pick up a House seat or two if there is opposition.

[LuminousX]

16. What IL-GOP needs to do

They need to grab an unknown Republican water commissioner or some such from some county board and run him/her against Obama. They will lose, but they will lose with a respectable candidate. Then they can take the next two years and rebuild, realign their party.

Even with a powerful candidate against Obama, Obama would win. So even if they get Topinka to run, currently their best known highest ranking Republican, she would lose which would be even a bigger black eye. It is always better to say "You lost" than "They won."

[LuminousX]

13. IL-GOP Elders are actually Democratic infiltrators

who wants to expose the hypocrisy and total lack of a moral core in the Republican Party.

[terrya]

15. I hate to do this...but there is one credible candidate the IL GOP...

could get.

Federal Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald. The ONLY Republican who could make this race even slightly competititative.

[madrchsod]

17. pat won`t run

there`s no reason for him to after all he`d be the 4th or 5th pick..
FIRE UP THE COPTERS-THE MILKMAN IS ON THE WAY!!!!!

[Hoosier Democrat]

19. My advice to the Illinois GOP...

Better mix up a batch of Jonestown Kool-Aid. At least it'll be quicker that way!