Illinois Republicans Energized but Questioning Foreign Policy After Convention

In the latest Land of Lincoln Red survey issued by Patch, Republican respondents shared their opinions on the presidential election following the Republican National Convention.

Citing speeches by Sen. Marco Rubio, vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan and celebrity Clint Eastwood, 94 percent of Republicans surveyed by Patch said their party's National Convention provided the party with the momentum it needs to get the base to turn out for what is expected to be a close election. That's part of the results from a recent Land of Lincoln survey issued by Patch in the Chicago area. Ninety-three Republicans were surveyed, with 30 responding.  Most Republican respondents mentioned the Rubio and Ryan speeches as highlights of the convention, while one respondent said "Mitt Romney just did OK."  According to Republican respondents, 53 percent said they felt more confident about Romney's chances of winning after the …

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RNC Jockeying Raises Question: Who's the Best GOP Nominee for Illinois Governor?

More than a half-dozen gubernatorial wannabes worked the room at the Republican National Convention last week. Who would you like to see make a run for governor?

While the main events at the Republican National Convention centered around Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, a subtle undercard was the jockeying of would-be GOP candidates for Illinois governor, the Chicago Tribune reports. State Treasurer Dan Rutherford was "highly visible" at the RNC in Tampa, according to the Tribune story by Rick Pearson. Rutherford heads up the Romney campaign in Illinois. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale, who finished a close second to Bloomington's Bill Brady in the 2010 primary race for governor, has been a prominent face, as well. Dillard wasn't a delegate, but he made the trip to Tampa, just the same. Other gubernatorial wannabes mentioned in the Tribune article include U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock of Peoria, state Sen. Christine …

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Sunday Comics

Sunday Comic: Clint Eastwood, Mitt Romney and the Empty Chair

The film star stole the show at the Republican National Convention.

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Illinois Republicans Feeling Good About the Future

While November's elections are important, GOP leaders gathered at Republican National Convention say they're focused on strengthening the party for the long term.

TAMPA, FL -- With President Barack Obama carrying Illinois by 25 percentage points in 2008 and a new poll showing him leading Mitt Romney by about the same margin, one might think there's not much joy among delegates and party leaders gathered here for the Republican National Convention this week. And while even the reddest of the Republicans acknowledges that GOP presidential candidate Romney has little chance of carrying Illinois, those in Tampa stress that they're focused on building the party for 2014 and beyond. "The presidential race will be an uphill climb for us," said state party Chairman Pat Brady, adding that Republicans are concentrating their efforts more on congressional and state legislative races this fall. "In 2014, we’re …

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Sen. Radogno attends Republican National Convention

Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) joins fellow Republicans at convention in Tampa.

Super Delegate and Illinois State Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) and Illinois State Treasurer, Chairman of theRomneyCampaign in Illinois, and Chairman of the Illinois Delegation DanRutherford, take a break during the Republican National Convention, which is taking place this week in Tampa, FLA.

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