In his Times-Record column today, Rich Miller suggests the Illinois GOP is in disarray as it come to terms with the potential effect of an Obama nomination on statehouse races this November:
Republican congressional candidate Jim Oberweis' convincing loss in a suburban special election earlier this month also proves that in this environment Republicans at the state legislative level - where name recognition is lower than the US House - need to have strong candidates, and they need to work them hard and pray four or five times a day that Obama doesn't win the nomination and then cut ads for their Democratic opponents.
Oberweis was a disaster on just about every level, and few down-ballot Republicans are nearly that bad. But the Republicans need to recognize that every Republican in that district could be in danger come November when Oberweis runs again for the seat. Oberweis' November candidacy might very well pull down some of their down-ballot candidates. Add that to any Obama effect, and the Republicans have to be tearing their hair out right now.
Miller goes on to describe the current tension between the GOP leadership in Springfield and state Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), who incidentally cut a TV ad for the Obama campaign last year.
Read the whole column here.
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