For the state's Republican candidates, reform has become a unifying theme. As the ongoing federal investigation of past Republican Gov. George Ryan wears on, the challenge for contenders of the upcoming primary is in proving they are above the party's past indiscretions, while maintaining a voice that sets each apart from the rest of the pack.
Gubernatorial candidate and dairy mogul Jim Oberweis has carried a strong reform message throughout his campaign, but has continually trailed Judy Baar Topinka's lead, taking the number-two spot in the polls. Following the Topinka ethics reform package that Oberweis had argued was not nearly strong enough, this week Oberweis laid out his own vision for a three-tiered ethics reform plan.
The plan sets prohibitive limits for campaign contributions with state interests as well as suggesting new restrictions for lobbyists. Oberweis has repeatedly made known his experience as a successful businessman, rather than career politician, is what sets him apart from other candidates for creating real fiscal change in Springfield.
The other wealthy candidate hoping to take the Governor's seat, Highland Park native and former Helene Curtis CEO Ron Gidwitz has experienced lackluster poll support despite a well-funded campaign.
But Gidwitz may have some tricks up his sleeve. Former Republican gubernatorial candidate, Steve Rauschenberger has joined team-Gidwitz, but other support may come from outside the party. Despite Republican affilition, some suggest that Gidwitz may get a strong nod from Mayor Daley. Last year, Robert Klein Engler for ChronWatch— a conservative online media critique— mentioned the relevance of Gidwitz's stint as Chairman of the Board for Chicago City Colleges. He writes, "… 'da mayor' does not ask people out of the blue to head a department or agency. We know from the ongoing federal corruption investigation that things work differently in Chicago. Gidwitz came to the city colleges with little background in education, so it must have been something other than expertise that landed him the job as chairman."
Outside of supposed secret alliances, Gidwitz took his stand in the need for reform with his critique of the Governor's I-PASS project, which, according to a recent Chicago Tribune report, was revealed as a no-bid contractor given to a generous Blagojevich campaign supporter.
Making his mark on Monday, another candidate, self-proclaimed five-decade corruption fighter and internet columnist Andy Martin held a news conference announcing a 'Member Boycott' of Chicago public television station WTTW. Martin is charging the station with political bias. According to the candidate, WTTW, after rescinding a debate invite, refused to answer Martin's inquiries, later allegedly posing legal threats. Martin's plan involves creating a web site— BoycottWTTW.com— with a lawsuit and complaint to the IRS revoking the station's nonprofit status to follow.
"I am offended that our tax dollars are going to support this arrogant, elitist institution that begs money from the innocent public and then spends this cash on high-priced lawyers to deny democracy to viewers," said Martin in a press release.
Republican criticism of public television is certainly not new, nor local. Last year, the Republican chairman of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Kenneth Tomlinson, had been aggressively attempting to change the political slant of PBS programming. Many conservatives rallied around Tomlinson's accusation of PBS's alleged liberal bias. For Martin, the recent press conference maneuver ensures an influence of otherwise indifferent primary voters in a common cause.
Much has been made of the four-man Topinka-bashing dolled out from fellow Republicans following a debate on February 20th. With Topinka absent from a post-debate photo-op, the other four candidates took the opportunity to take shots at the State Treasurer. Starting with Oberweis, who, commenting on Topinka's ethics reform plan, replied, "…the idea of Topinka-ethics seems to be an oxymoron." The jab prompted other candidates to join in the attack.
Later, after rejoining the group, Topinka was quick to point out that her commanding lead in the polls makes her a prime target. "They have to go after me, I'm the front runner. I expect to get all sorts of abuse," she told reporters during the photo op.
But in-fighting aside, the real battle for the Republicans will begin after the primary. All five candidates have been highly critical of Gov. Blagojevich's budget and spending strategies. Specifically, for Sen. Bill Brady, Blagojevich's alleged fiscal mismanagement was to be the Senator's inspiration for a run to the Governor's post. Last week in a press release he stated, "I decided to run for governor last year because I was fed up with Blagojevich's endless tax and fee increases that are destroying businesses and driving hard working families into the poorhouse. He's running businesses out of this state faster than its citizens can register for unemployment. " In keeping with the theme of ethical reform, the Senator has also pointed to the Governor's moral misjudgments, such as the recent appointing of Claudette Marie Johnson (tied closely to controversial Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan) to his Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes. A point he shares with fellow candidate, Gidwitz.
However, as State Treasure, Topinka has the opportunity to directly oppose Blagojevich in deed rather than mere word. Last Friday, the Governor accused Topinka of freezing between $500 to $900 million— special funds the Governor argues are to be used in paying past medical bills— in what some say is a political maneuver. Treasure Topinka counters that the money had always been intended for programs like child support and veterans homes, complaining that the Governor regularly raids state money without her consent. As she continues to maintain the top spot in the pre-primary polls, the nearly year-long struggle between Topinka and Blagojevich over state funds could be setting the stage in a future battle for the Governor's office.
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