AURORA ? House Minority Leader Tom Cross thinks Judy Baar Topinka is the Republican Party’s best bet to beat incumbent Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2006.
In a meeting Monday with The Beacon News editorial board, the Oswego Republican said that when compared to the field of announced GOP candidates and those considering a run, Topinka stands out.
However, that informal vote of confidence appeared conditional ? especially if former Gov. Jim Edgar makes the unlikely decision to take another run at the governor’s mansion.
“I think she (Topinka) is the best candidate against Rod, right now,” Cross said.
Topinka could draw support from women voters and is a proven candidate, Cross said, having been elected state treasurer three times.
But Cross also called U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood of Peoria a “solid guy,” and said he would make a formidable candidate if he can find a way to raise significant campaign contributions.
Strangely, the crew only mentions that Cross isn’t interested in being Guv right now. Talk about burying the lede–your boss makes the Hotline with comments and you guys don’t even mention it.
Hmmm….Why would we do that?
Just giving you a hard time…
just talked to dave dring. it wasn’t an endorsement. cross was “just handicapping the race” and the paper got ahead of itself
Did he say that with a straight face? 😉 had to figure that was coming–I’ll update in a bit.
hmmm… Topinka v. Hot Rod…this dem crosses over for the first time since Edgar v. Hartigan
As a Democrat, I worry more about LaHood, but that may be my central Illinois bias. The LaHood fundraising comment is interesting. He already has over 1.2 million if you combine his federal and state campaign accounts. LaHood probably has the best ability to fundraiser at the national level as compared to any other Republican.
I still think Topinka is handicapped by her inability to raise the corruption issue without her own scandals being resurrected.