Who in the world is going to run against Obama?

[tcfrogs]

I know it's probably academic (Obama should win against anyone) but who can the R's get to take the spot?

Already turned it down:
Jim Edgar
Jim Thompson
Steve Rauschenberger
Judy Baar Topinka
Da' Coach

Would Peter Fitzgerald maybe reconsider his decision? Just curious if anyone has any thoughts...

[benburch]

1. Fitzgerald HATES the neocons.

That is why he isn't running again. They screwed him.

[mopinko]

7. they are pissed about patrick fitzgerald

i don't think he jumped, i think he was pushed.

[lovedems]

2. I would place a bet that it is this guy...

Jim Oberweis. Barak Obama would beat him by double digits.


http://www.ilsenate.com/candidate.asp?ID=5


I am looking to see if I can find where he stands on the issues...

Here is what I came up with (a conservative sight)

http://www.illinoisleader.com/news/newsview.asp?c=8973

OBERWEIS: I don’t know why there should be any speculation whatsoever. I am and have been have been a life-long prolife advocate

IL: So, I am to assume you would be in favor of the partial birth abortion ban . . .


OBERWEIS: Absolutely.


IL: Parental notification . . .


OBERWEIS: Absolutely.


IL: What is your position on stem cell research, do you support the President’s position?


OBERWEIS: Yes.

He will follow Bush's lead.

[sandraj]

3. From the SunTimes

Doctor explores running for GOP Senate seat
http://www.suntimes.com/output/elect/cst-nws-sen10.html

She has never run for political office. Few party leaders or Illinois voters know much about her. And she doesn't have a personal fortune to finance a campaign.

But Dr. Andrea Grubb Barthwell believes her experience fighting the war on drugs and her moderate views could make her just the candidate to step in for Republican Senate nominee Jack Ryan.

(more at link)

[davsand]

4. Her lack of personal fortune is her biggest barrier.

The GOP NEEDS somebody who can self finance this race, and they have pretty much admitted it. Edgar, Topinka and a few others may not be millionaires, but they had something just as valuable--a proven supporter list that has stood up under repeated requests for contributions.

They need either a whole lot of personal fortune or else good name recognition with a built in--PROVEN--contributor list.

Laura

[sandraj]

5. Good point

Another barrier facing any GOP candidate is that Obama seems to have a lot of support in districts that in the past have been typically more Republican and conservative, like Chicago's North Shore.

[mopinko]

6. some scoop on the dr.

ok, this is a second hand conversation, as i recollect it, from today, while i was baking in the sun, so...

today i was selling buttons at peacefest, which is sort of a sister event to hempfest, which used to be called weedfest, before the war on drugs. and old event here in chicago. so, same organizers, same supporters, etc....
so there was some talk there that this person was known to them. that, back in the day, she had spoken at a conference AGAINST the war on drugs. that jail does not cure addicts, marijuana is not a gateway drug, pro medical pot, all that stuff. now, not only a 180, but she spoke at a conference with school officials where these federal officers were urging to expanded drug testing, and promising federal funds to defend against lawsuits!!!
people are scrambling to dig up the tapes, and any other documents that exist on this. i made them promise to let me know, so that i could post it here.
stay tuned.