Republican strategist: GOP must bridge enthusiasm gap by November

Posted on March 21, 2018
Bruce Rauner campaign
Gov. Bruce Rauner greeted campaign volunteers during an Election Day visit (Photo courtesy Bruce Rauner/Facebook)

By Eric Stock

CHICAGO – Democrats far outnumbered Republican voters in Tuesday’s primaries in Illinois.

Former state Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin the Democratic party is clearly more energized now, which he said common for the president’s opposition party in off-year elections, but that’s amplified by President Donald Trump’s low approval numbers.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Brady on WJBC.

“Absolutely, it’s a concern but remember it’s a primary and there was just a lot more energy around the Democratic primary, primarily because there was such much anger at the president,” Brady said. “All the (Democratic) candidates in their acceptance speeches last night talked about how they wanted to beat Donald Trump.”

Brady said his party has some work to do to avoid losses in the general election in November.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Illinois State University professor emeritus Bob Bradley. 

“It is going to be a tough cycle for Republicans in the mid-terms because of the president’s unpopularity, and the closer you get to (Interstate) 80 the harder it gets,” Brady said

Brady added Democratic turnout also spiked thanks to Democratic nominee for governor J.B. Pritzker spending heavily on campaign ads for a crowded primary long before Republicans Bruce Rauner and Jeanne Ives hit the airwaves.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…