Dan, don't believe the hype. People care and that is why this is nothing but a push poll to sell lies about Friedman. I find it sad that they call Friedman, Dold, Kirk an anyone with an "R" next to their name a "Tea Party extremist." When have pro-choice Republicans been extremists?

My guess is they have the same numbers Friedman campaign has that was taken just a few weeks back and as his campaign manager said, “It would be an understatement to say we are pleased with the results.”

Hey Walter: it's not spin, but facts. Something too many on the left ignore. As far as the pollster is concerned, here's another fact: They had Seals over Dold by somewhere around 15 points. How did that work out for you? The polling company brags on its website that they are advocacy pollsters and strategists for the left., So how do you spell "advocacy poll?"

You do realize we're talking about an Illinois State Senate seat.

Tell us what Morrison will do on the major issues of State debt, pension reform, high property taxes, falling property values, job creation, crime, etc.

What are Morrison's "common sense" solutions to these problems?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbyFeFhUTmI&feature=relmfu

You obviously have never met Dr. Friedman.

Nobody has seen this poll you speak of. They never released it to the press - only a memo. Any candidate can say anything to the public or press without backing it up. If they wanted to excite their base why not release it after it was taken. Waiting six weeks means they have new numbers and those figures are scaring them.

The fact of the matter is that Dems have destroyed Illinois and many Dems know it and while they may support Obama, they will certainly be open to pro-choice Republicans such as Friedman and will be leery of once pro-lifers such as Morrison.

You are correct that the Dems should be able to beat Bob Dold, but the problem is that Bored Schneider has the personality and appeal of a corpse. Seriously, have you ever met him? OMG! Between the wet-fish handshake and charisma of a mummy, Dold will wipe the floor with him.

Run some moderate candidates that this district can get behind and maybe the Dems would come to your way of thinking, but Friedman and Shaw? Nope.

Mr. White, I've heard that lame excuse from Democrats before who keep voting lockstep to return the same old types of candidates to office to get the same old failed results. Don't waste our time with that tired old line. If Abe Lincoln returned to Illinois and ran for office as a Republican in the 29th Senate district and 58th legislative district, you would still find a reason not to vote for him. You'll have to do better than that.

Other than trying to falsely label Friedman, Shaw, Dold and other Republicans running for office in this area as extremist "tea baggers" your plan is what? The plans of Democrats in this State and Nationally is what?

Stay the course? Continue the insanity? Take more money out of our pockets by increasing taxes after the recession emptied our pockets? Spread fear and uncertainly about changing from the path of failure ruling Democrats have steered us down? If you prefer failure over change, vote Democratic. If you prefer to continue the insanity, vote Democratic.

And we've heard the same old pissing and moaning about Springfield from Republicans who's campaign strategy is to, well, piss and moan about Springfield. I don't see any new ideas from any GOP candidate. Maybe that's why nothing ever changes. In a moderate district, it takes a moderate Republican WITH IDEAS to win. I never called Kirk or Dold a tea bagger. They knew what it took to win and they did it. Your boys Shaw and Friedman don't have one original thought between the two of them. Good luck with that.

Thanks Walter. You just proved my point. GOP plans for change in Springfield die in committee thanks to you Democrats. Democratic budgets passed with no GOP input or consultation that constitutionally must be balanced are loaded up with fake numbers, leaving escalating deficits, pain and suffering. That's why it's time for a change! That's why its time to stop the current insanity. If you wish to remain in your straight jacket, locked away in your Democratic padded cell, feel free. Just don't drag me in there with you! :-)

And so your circular argument and logic continues Mr. White. The only good plans in your eyes are those of Democrats, which have raised our taxes and spending and increased our deficits and which now have lead to prison closings, delays in school funding and school buses, and closings of mental health centers, just since May 30th of the this year alone! Now a huge panic to enact some pension reform before our Illinois bond rating gets reduced to junk bond status through a one day special session. Continue with the politics of failure because you refuse to review or even consider the Friedman and other GOP candidate plans to turn things around. Clueless on taxes. Huge spending as a Township Supervisor. Morrison will fit in with the current culture of failure in Springfield quite well.

I never said the Democrats had a good plan. In my mind every single member of state government is to blame for our situation. I'm looking for innovative ideas and frankly haven't seen them from anyone yet. I generally vote Dem for the social issues and it would take a special GOP candidate to change my vote, but I've voted for both parties in my time.

Walter,
If you continue to cast your vote based on social issues, then you shouldn't expect the economic issues to get solved. What kind of plan do you think would fix the economic mess we have in Illinois? What would appeal to you?

Well on the flip side, let's assume I vote GOP based on some superior financial plan. Then I risk voting in the god, guns, and gays crowd. So generally I look for a social moderate with a fiscal plan that isn't simply "I'm gonna do it differently from the other guys." If you know of that candidate, I'm all ears. Election after election (at least nationally) the balance of power swings back and forth simply because the general population is sick and tired of the incumbents. The other party must have a better idea, right? I've been around too long to believe that, so basically I'm looking for someone to impress me. Hasn't happened yet.

Do you really think the "god, guns, and gays" crowd is going to take over Illinois? ... and do what? A minute of school prayer? Could they possibly do more damage to the State than the "tax, spend, and corrupt" crowd?

I'm in the middle of all this and I can tell you that the boogie man you fear is coming after you from the right simply does not exist. The people who say they want to fix the economy, mean it. I know. I'm one of them.

I'll make a deal with you. You vote for the people who say they will end the corruption and fix the economic mess, and I'll make sure they actually stay focused and DO IT after they're elected. I can't be bought with my children's money. I'm going to fight.

OK, obviously none of you are getting what I'm saying so I'll simply ask for something...for the GOP to state in simple terms their plan to return IL to a balanced budget. And don't tell me to go read it on Shaw or Friedman's website. Mr. Atsaves, as a GOP chairman of whatever township, should able able to tick these points off in his sleep. What SPECIFIC strategies will you use to reduce the budget deficit? What are the measurable goals and timeframes? How will you reach across the isle and work WITH the other party to make this happen? Go.

Just as I thought. Nada, nothing. On Shaw's website under the "issues" tab, the only thing he says is that he will repeal the income tax increase. Great! I love lower taxes just like the next guy. So, his only plan to fix a budget deficit is to reduce revenue. That all you got, Mark? Is that the depth of your fiscal plan? Sorry, Lou, that doesn't get it done for me and many moderate voters in this district.

Sorry Walter I had to wander off for a while. Some of us have lives to lead. If you want to see a (trashed) GOP plan on finances, visit the Illinois Senate GOP website and view the plan authored by Sen. Matt Murphy and Sen. Christine Radogno.

The Democrats considered that comprehensive plan for all of two seconds before sending it to the "circular file" and shredder.

They then enacted a new budget on their own which spends even more money, fails to pay the backlog of bills, failed to address the pension crisis and they ran home to districts like ours and said "elect us for another term."

You clearly plan to vote for a continuation of that insanity. I don't.

I don't want to see a plan on a website, I want our candidates (from both parties) to articulate how they will balance the budget. If their response is "go and read it on the web" then they have no clue what they are doing. There's politics and then there's governing. You can use all the smoke and mirrors you want to get them elected, but will they have a clue what they're doing once they get there? Not enough people ask that very important question. I look forward to a debate of real substance and not just playing the blame game.

However I tend to think it will end up like Katie Couric asking Sarah Palin what newspapers she reads.

Ok Walter, what will change if ENOUGH republicans are put in office is that the same crooks (Madigan, Cullerton, etc) will no longer be in control and MAYBE the public sector crooks will be cut off as their dealer is out of power. So, the mere fact that a Republican will not vote for Madigan or Cullerton as leader of the House / Senate will put IL more towards the path of recovery.

That's one heck of a plan. We all know there's no crooks in the GOP.

Stop spending like the Democrats who keep handing out contracts to cronies would be a good start.

Thanks for proving my point that the only GOP strategy is "we're not them".