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* I checked and this is indeed a thing. Politico…
Richard Goldberg is being recruited by some members of the Illinois GOP to become party chairman, according to a source close to the selection process. The position opened up over the weekend when Chairman Tim Schneider announced he was stepping down after six years. Goldberg most recently served as a director with the White House National Security Council and before that was chief of staff for former Gov. Bruce Rauner and deputy chief of staff to former Sen. Mark Kirk.
… Goldberg, who’s also an intelligence officer in the Naval Reserve with the rank of lieutenant commander, is seen as someone who can work across all areas of the Illinois GOP and stand up to Democrats. Goldberg would bring the star power that comes from working for Trump. He also could help rebuild the Republican presence in Lake County, where Kirk resides. The area has moved left with each election cycle in recent years.
Don Harmon will be so pleased, but give Richard credit for writing a heck of a press release. /s
The Lake County stuff is a jab at the county’s party chairman Mark Shaw, who chairs the Republican County Chairman’s Association and co-chairs the ILGOP in a deal worked out by the Rauner folks a couple of years ago to keep Tim Schneider in power. The same folks who tried to block Shaw back then are still at it. This was sent by one of them…
* Republicans lost majority control of the Lake County Board in 2018 and lost three more seats in 2020
* The Republican Sheriff was defeated in 2018
* The Republican State’s Attorney was defeated in 2020
* The Republican Coroner was defeated in 2020
* State House of Representatives District 61 was lost in 2018 and never regained
* Republicans lost Lake County in the race for Governor in 2018 and for President in both 2016 and 2020
* Republicans lost the majority on the Lake County Forest Preserve Board
* In 2020, Shaw led the Lake County Republican Central Committee Executive Committee in endorsing Jim Oberweis for Congress in the 14th District—someone who already lost a record six races for Congress, US Senate, and Governor. With all of his negative baggage, Oberweis went on to lose the 2020 election by one percent of the vote, while also losing Lake County.
Also…
Lake County Precinct Committee Members filing for election:
2016 Primary Election:
103 Democrat
224 Republican2020 Primary Election:
198 Democrat
158 Republican
Precinct committeeman recruiting aside, a lot of this cannot be blamed on the party chairman. Lake County has been trending Democratic for years for the same reasons DuPage has changed: Demographics and the GOP’s presidential candidates.
But the Oberweis thing still sticks in a lot of craws of the folks who believe Sen. Sue Rezin would’ve had a much better shot at winning in November. Rezin will be the deputy leader of the Senate Republican Caucus come January.
There was also the 2018 Helene Miller Walsh debacle and Shaw’s weird Facebook posts.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 9:44 am
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“Goldberg would bring the star power that comes from working for Trump”
Will that be Brad Parscale star power or Paul Manafort star power?
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 9:49 am
Goldberg and the Eastern Bloc!!!! FUN
Comment by NotRich Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 9:50 am
We may be missing the best Lake County-related candidate for this job, the former Comptroller and Deputy Governor Leslie Munger. She worked very hard to explain to the public why the progressive tax was a bad idea, is not a polarizing person and her and her husband John are among the warmest and most generous people with their time and support I’ve ever met in politics.
Comment by The Forgotten Center Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 9:51 am
If I read this correctly, he can work across all areas of the Illinois GOP, while in the same press release, takes a swipe at a GOP county chair?
Man, the GOP can’t avoid their own glaring hypocrisy in the same press release.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 9:52 am
“is not a polarizing person”
“I’ll be Bruce Rauner’s wingman”.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 9:54 am
“star power”
Come On Man this might have worked in 2000 or even 2010, but way too late now, but good to hear Goldie is still upright
Comment by Annoin' Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 9:54 am
I’m curious to see what Radical Candor would tweet about this.
Comment by Keyrock Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 9:54 am
Elvis. Don’t paint people with a broad brush because of who they work for.
Comment by The Forgotten Center Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 9:57 am
“Don’t paint people with a broad brush”
By simply citing a quote?
She put it out there, where it exists, forever.
But hey, I’m all for an individual who has never won an election to chair the ILGOP.
Go Munger.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:00 am
2020 is the gift that keeps on giving.
Comment by Henry Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:01 am
No snark. It’s known.
Goldberg is my favorite Raunerite.
It’s not close, there isn’t even a second to Goldberg.
Shaw is, was, will be… total disaster.
Why Goldberg would want it? Dunno.
Dunno, but Goldberg is my favorite. “We’ll see”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:07 am
So IL Republicans are going to bring on a Trump guy? A Trump guy running the party? What did Goldberg do during the pandemic?
Comment by Hmm Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:09 am
Agree Munger will be an excellent choice. In addition to the attributes described by The Forgotten Center, she is articulate, thoughtful
and knows how to not act like a goof.
Comment by Midwestern Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:17 am
Agree with Elvis. I worked with Munger and all she was good at was talking about herself. Period.
Comment by White Dynamite Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:17 am
Munger was truly a phony who pushed “no budget, no pay” while Raunerites, working with Dunkin, Drury, and Franks refused to give Illinois a budget.
Munger is arguably the worst possible signal to anyone looking for “leadership”, as Munger was a mere stamp for the damage Rauner wanted.
The thing about Goldberg;
Of all the Rauner folks, he was *the* most honest to task, put *his* name, *his* face to all *he* did… and owned it.
You had phonies making “ck” say things so they could be shielded, you had others wanting a public “well, we’re working to.. “ while privately trying to keep Rauner afloat at the same time damaging…
Goldberg was Goldberg.
For every reason I despised his antics, equally to his honesty to his role, I respected his place.
Munger is a terrible choice.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:26 am
Why would he do this?
Unless this is a sign there is a new billionaire with little political experience who needs a leader of the State GOP who can help clear the field for a big Gov run in ‘’22?
Comment by Frank talks Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:28 am
Goldberg is a funny guy to be sure, but will probably be advertised more as a trump guy than as a Rauner guy. Is that the best path for ILGOP to take? Several blue states have republican governors and a healthy party apparatus, gained by running from trump and not towards him. Do they not want to be successful? Is it a purity test thing?
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:34 am
Interesting. Goldberg is smart and beyond capable. In fact, I think Goldberg would rattle a lot of Democrats with his emergence as a mouthpiece for the IL GOP. He’s effective at getting under the opposition’s skin. He’s disciplined, savvy, and has experience. But why would he want to do it?
Comment by Olive Garden Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:35 am
===…more as a trump guy than as a Rauner guy. Is that the best path for ILGOP to take?===
Goldberg can be pragmatic while being that “annoyance”
I’ll be interested to his take on who won this election in November, that might be most telling(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:37 am
Comptroller Susana Mendoza continued the no budget no pay for legislators until ordered by a Judge two months into her term to move the legislators back pay to the top of the bill backlog OW.
Is she a phony too?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:39 am
If shaw is elected to lead, it will be the final, well deserved, nail in the GOP coffin.
Comment by allknowingmasterofraccoodom Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:48 am
Sen. Sue Rezin would’ve had a much better shot at winning in November.
Yes, and clearing out some of the obvious losers from that contest (and yes, I mean Gradel & Marter) and somehow co-opting Lauf would have likely sent LU packing.
Comment by Fav Human Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:49 am
=== Is she a phony too?===
As I said 3,429 times… anyone who has pushed “no budget, no pay” is ignorant to the idea of how governing works.
You *know* I’ve called her out, you want me to show you where I’ve reminded you of this… countless times?
Can you try to *add* to this, like your thoughts… instead of having me reminding you of your ignorance to memory… “again”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:52 am
Willy - there is no washing the Rauner off of this guy. Blasting Raunerites incessantly and treating Goldberg with kid gloves is ridiculous.
He bathed daily in the Rauner stink.
Comment by This Just In Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:05 am
=== Blasting Raunerites incessantly and treating Goldberg with kid gloves is ridiculous.===
You’re not reading what I’m writing, or understanding what Goldberg was, and still is.
You probably might not know this, I’m not a big fan of Rauner or Raunerites. Sorry if I wasn’t clear in that.
There’s specific and pointed reasons that in total equal measure my anger and frustration with Goldberg, and my respect to the task(s) of Goldberg and ownership of those.
Goldberg is my favorite. I know why that is. It’s not close for ANY others in that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:09 am
If understand fully, on every possible level and was closer to it that you will ever dream of being.
Goldberg bathed in the Rauner stink daily and knew exactly what he was involved in . . . . .like him if you will. Just don’t try selling it here . . . .I know better.
Comment by This Just In Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:12 am
=== If understand fully, on every possible level and was closer to it that you will ever dream of being.===
Oh.
The “I know” argument…
Good one.
=== Goldberg bathed in the Rauner stink daily and knew exactly what he was involved in . . . . .like him if you will. Just don’t try selling it here . . . .I know better.===
If you’re all.. and know all…
Why do you care about my thoughts anyway?
:)
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:14 am
Oh goodness…. Time and again Goldberg has gotten in over his head and lost his cool to the point of being forced out of multiple administrations. And to be clear, bragging about working for the Trump administration is NOT a badge of honor.
Comment by MakePoliticsCoolAgain Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:18 am
“Republicans lost the majority on the Lake County Forest Preserve Board”
Quite a statement considering the Forest Preserve Board is comprised entirely of the elected County Board members, so losing a majority for one by definition means lacking a majority for the other. Makes the effort to pile on Shaw that much more obvious - and amusing.
Comment by TractionS Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:27 am
=== Quite a statement considering the Forest Preserve Board is comprised entirely of the elected County Board members, so losing a majority for one by definition means lacking a majority for the other.===
So… its factually accurate? You admit that.
=== Makes the effort to pile on Shaw that much more obvious - and amusing.===
As a body, the fact remains… true. Correct?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:29 am
The Illinois Review always referred to Dan Patlak as the highest ranking Republican in Cook County. Not quite sure what that meant but now that Patlak lost his race on the BOR he has plenty of time on his hands. Why not him?
Comment by Hard D Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:29 am
This could be fun. Reminder from the Wayback Machine:
“Rich’s job is to be the governor’s unmentionable anatomy. And he embraces that role with the flare and enthusiasm that can only have been born of years of experience in fraternity houses and undergraduate bars,” Harmon said.
After the initial interview with Harmon, WBEZ went back to clarify what the senator mean when he said, “unmentionable anatomy.” He said he meant something that rhymes with “grass bowl.”
Comment by SAP Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:30 am
Looking forward to the second-hand smoke from the grass bowl.
Comment by phocion Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:38 am
===So… its factually accurate? You admit that… As a body, the fact remains… true. Correct?
As an action and as a body, the statement is certainly true. But I think we’re supposed to infer that Shaw is responsible for losing more elections in Lake County than he actually did. At the same time, I don’t know how anyone could argue that his record is at all successful. I’m not defending Shaw. I’m more amused that anyone feels the need to add a line like that when the rest is so damning.
Comment by TractionS Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:43 am
=== As an action and as a body, the statement is certainly true.===
Elections have consequences.
You lose the board, you lose the forest preserve board too.
To Shaw and your thoughts, Ots hard to argue Shaw brought anything to the politics or winning in any realm of the influence in hand.
Shaw, like Munger, would be a mistake and the wrong signal to those looking to build.
Losing one board was in actuality losing TWO boards. That’s how bad these loses are.
Be well.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:49 am
The only reasons Goldberg could ever become the state GOP Chair is to:
a) see his name in the paper and
b) no one else wants the thankless position.
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:57 am
I agree Goldberg would be a great choice to head up the GOP in Illinois.
With Ruaner and Trump on his resume and that superior attitude that he flashed around, this guy is exactly what a Democrat like Back would be wishing for.
All this news about ComEd and pandemic problems are going to be tough to deal with. With Goldberg in charge all my concerns about losing the House, Senate and Governor’s office would disappear.
Go Goldberg.
Comment by Back to the Future Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 12:07 pm
==Don’t paint people with a broad brush because of who they work for.==
Munger said she was Rauner’s wingman just a few short months after he appointed her comptroller. So unless you’re saying she worked for Rauner when she should have been working independently from him and as a check on him…
==Why Goldberg would want it?==
Why? The right opportunity has presented itself. The ILGOP is already setting the bar high for themselves in 2022 (or Schneider is setting it unfairly high for his successor to miss…). So if GOP gains realize in 2022 statewide, Supreme Court, the GA… why not put yourself in a position to take credit (and be christened ILGOP savior/genius/comeback king/whatever) for things that were going to happen anyway based on well established trends and possible mid-term losses under Biden? Of course, there is no guarantee (see 1998: IL House Dem gains; 2010: Bill Brady, Cross overselling getting the gavel; 2014: zero losses for IL House Dems, just one for Senate Dems). And if the U.S. Senate remains in GOP control, Biden is going to be able to do only so much without GOP buy-in. So, we’ll see.
Comment by John Deere Green Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 12:15 pm
Don’t know Goldberg. Is he an ideologue or more interested in having power? Republicans need somebody who is ruthlessly focused on winning elections. That requires both motivating the base and expanding into the moderate community. Tricky.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 12:18 pm
As and old school DuPage Republican (dinosaur went extinct too) Goldberg or both parties need to return to the middle. Extreme Politics has a shelf life.
Comment by DuPage Dinosaur Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 12:21 pm
Shaw fits the angry brand of the GOP better now than Goldberg. Downstate rejected Rauner. Idealists in purity hold the mic right now. Going back to the days of Edgar I don’t think is possible.
Goldberg will have lots of work to do if he gets there. Hire him as a consultant to make Dem heads explode is a better angle. Let him run the election cycle of 22.
Comment by Frank talks Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 12:23 pm
=Why do you care about my thoughts anyway?=
Simply pointing out the duplicitous nature of your blather.
Those in the room “know” the score. You are a pretender. Simply housekeeping is all.
Comment by This Just In Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 1:12 pm
Goldberg worked for one of the most liberal GOP Senators and was chief of staff to not only one of the most liberal GOP governors in the country, but a guy labeled the worst GOP governor in the country.
It is hard to imagine him leading the party.
Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 1:57 pm
=== Simply pointing out the duplicitous nature of your blather.===
LOL, no you’re not, you merely made a whole case of “I know”… you did nothing of the sort.
=== Those in the room “know” the score. You are a pretender. Simply housekeeping is all.===
What’s the score… you fail to make any point but “I know”
You don’t like my opinion, which is fine, but this blathering you think is smart to the discussion, my opinion is one where Goldberg did all he did, publicly.
Like this… lol
=== Goldberg bathed in the Rauner stink daily and knew exactly what he was involved in ===
Which I wrote…
=== You probably might not know this, I’m not a big fan of Rauner or Raunerites. Sorry if I wasn’t clear in that.
There’s specific and pointed reasons that in total equal measure my anger and frustration with Goldberg, and my respect to the task(s) of Goldberg and ownership of those.===
And this…
=== The thing about Goldberg;
Of all the Rauner folks, he was *the* most honest to task, put *his* name, *his* face to all *he* did… and owned it.
You had phonies making “ck” say things so they could be shielded, you had others wanting a public “well, we’re working to.. “ while privately trying to keep Rauner afloat at the same time damaging…
Goldberg was Goldberg.
For every reason I despised his antics, equally to his honesty to his role, I respected his place.===
Makes sense if you turn off your anger.
Then again… “you know”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 4:20 pm
I hope Rich Goldberg takes the party reins so he can do as good a job there as he did in the Rauner administration. Please.
Comment by Shytown Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 5:31 pm
If the Illinois GOP can’t take itself seriously, why should anyone else..
Comment by 618er Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 5:58 pm
Goldberg will bring back some of the young Turks who ran the GOP into the ground and got Rauner beat. We don’t need a Goldberg. We need a new State Central Committee as well as a new Chairman. Just not Goldberg.
Comment by cudawodashuda Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:11 pm
===young Turks who ran the GOP into the ground===
That crew won elections in 2016 when Trump got pummeled here. It was the crew that came in later which made a mess of things.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:35 pm