The governors race in my state was decided by about 19000 votes. The Republican led in the polls throughout much of the campaign. He was every bit as extreme as Scott Walker. If 9500 people had voted for him instead of the Democrat, Illinois would have Bill Brady as Governor.
Now I know Illinois has a pretty dismal record lately when it comes to who resides in the Governors Mansion. Although I must give credit to George Ryan for putting a moratorium on the death penalty. I believe much of the zeal with which he was prosecuted was because of that decision. I don`t need to mention Rod Blagojevich, we`re all familiar with him.
Pat Quinn was sworn in after Blago was removed in January 2009. He has been a favorite target of the media, particularly the Chicago Tribune. He had the Blago stain on him from the beginning. Bill Brady is a downstate conservative. Make that a far right ideologue. He advocated lowering the minimum wage. He opposes abortion in virtually any circumstance. He supports a constitutional amendment banning gay marraige and to not recognize civil unions or any same sex relationship. He believes intelligent design should be taught in schools. He would lift the moratorium on the death penalty. The Illinois House and Senate recently passed a bill outlawing the death penalty in Illinois. As of July, Illinois will have civil unions. Think elections don`t have consequences? Despite all these extreme views, it may well be that the thing that voters couldn`t forgive was his bill sponsoring the mass euthenasia of dogs and cats. Of course you could tell a lot about someone by how they treat animals. When the backlash started, he quickly flip flopped, but the damage was done.
I see what is happening in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana and elsewhere, and I am thankful that Illinois isn`t in the same situaton. Because if Bill Brady was running the state....well, look at our neighbors.