Last night, the Homer/Lockport Tea Parties held a debate for the candidates for Illinois Governor.  It is my understanding that they invited everyone both Democrat and Republican to be there.  Gov. Quinn and Dan Hynes both declined to be there.  So let's take a look at how I saw how the debate went.

Before we go on, let me say thank you to the Homer/Lockport Tea Parties for streaming the debate, and for putting on a great event.  I wish we could have been there, but thanks to technology, we were in a sense!

Andy McKenna - backed out at the last minute.  Doesn't matter because he ran the Republican Party into the ground while Chairman.  Not to mention that he met with just about every other GOP candidate while they were putting together their campaigns and therefore has inside knowledge of their fundraising and campaign strategies.  Shameful in my opinion and he should drop out so we don't have to vote him out.

Jim Ryan - Did not show.  Have we not had enough of that last name, whether related or not?  Where has Jim been the last few years as this state plunged into debt?  If he is that concerned about Illinois, you'd figure he'd be making some waves somewhere or at least show up.

Adam Andrzejewski - Sounded alright, but very green around the edges.  I'm pretty sure that this is his first attempt at public office.  Has a community organizing background but organizing, getting signatures, etc. is much different than governing.  Obama is finding that out right now.  Energetic, but got called out on spreading rumors.  Attacked Dan Proft for a no-bid spokesman contract for Cicero, Il.  Proft countered that  Adam and Dillard are spreading rumors and he also received a similar contract from Hinsdale, Il, and disputed the dollar amount Adam said he received.  Adam was given an opportunity to respond saying that "this is why I say date Dan and marry Adam".  Proft, countering back and referring to the previous question dealing with gay marriage, said "I thought you were against gay marriage".  This drew laughter and Adam's bait and trap got sprung on him instead.  It happens to every politician at some point in their career, but it just seems amplified by a new comer.  I would say he answered the conservative toned/specific questions to the satisfaction of the audience.

Bob Schillerstrom - Why did this guy show up last night?  You're in front of a conservative audience and in front of Tea Partiers on top of that and you explain that you do not support concealed carry in Illinois (one of two states that does not have a concealed carry law).  That drew loud boos.  To make matters worse, he also gave the wrong answer about abortion.  He said "It should be between a woman, her doctor and her clergy".  Loud boos followed that answer as well.  Pledged not to raise taxes and promised to veto any tax increase.  Talked about his work as DuPage Co Board Chairman and how they balanced the budget, etc.  Failed to note that he did have to raise taxes in order to do that.  Also made a gaff on stage when the question was asked "Where do our rights come from".  Schillerstrom seemed to run to the microphone (possibly out of turn?) like a kid being first in line for candy and said "the people" and sat down.  Proft took the mic right after Schillerstrom and said "Actually, our rights come from God..."  The "Oops" award goes Schillerstrom.

Dan Proft - Interesting character.  Attacked everyone on stage.  Had the best answer of what bi-partisanship means.  His message though seemed to fall flat.  He didn't have that bad of a debate, and seemed to answer the questions to the satisfaction of the crowd.  Don't know what he is polling at but it seems to be an uphill battle.  He seems to resonate with Tea Partiers as does Andrzejewski.  Spent part of the debate chit-chatting with Dillard while others spoke.  Almost like two kids in class talking while the teacher is speaking.  Very distracting.  Ok to do it once or twice, but it seemed like they were exchanging recipes or something.

Bill Brady - Sounded the most like a governor last night.  He didn't seem to get involved too much in the attacking of others.  He basically pointed to his record of conservative views and attempts to implement them in Springfield plus he said how we can turn around the state - more so than the other candidates did.  Answered every question to the satisfaction of the crowd.  Started off pretty energetic but by the end of the debate, seemed a bit tired but still delivered what I think he wanted to convey.  Needs to step it up a bit if he wants to separate himself from the others.  Not too many direct questions from the crowd to him.

Kirk Dillard - After what he said last night, I don't trust him in the slightest.  A few months ago at our regular GOP meeting, someone who is a big backer of his came to talk about Dillard to the group.  I asked the question about the Obama campaign ad that Dillard appeared in.  His rep said that Dillard did not know that Obama was going to use him, and when the ad came out, Dillard asked the Obama campaign to take the ad down, and "to Obama's credit" they pulled the ad.  This contrasts to Dillard last night saying he disagreed with 95% of what Obama stands for, but when he was in the Illinois Senate, Obama pushed for ethics reform and Dillard said he supported him in that effort.  Failed to even address the video or maybe he thought he did with that answer.  Seems VERY contradictory to me.  Dillard was also very awkward to look at on stage.  At times I couldn't tell if I was listening to him debate or watching him direct an orchestra. 

All in all, if I was scoring the match, here's how I'd score it:

1.  Brady - 9 out of 10
2.  Andrzejewski - 7 out of 10
3.  Proft - 7 out of 10
4.  Dillard - 3 out of 10
5.  Schillerstrom - 0 out of 10

We are traveling to Shelbyville this evening to watch the debate being put on by the Illinois Republican Party.  I'll take notes and score that debate as well.  Tell us who you think won last night...

Who do you feel won the Homer/Lockport Governor Debate? Bill Brady Adam Andrzejewski Bob Schillerstrom Dan Proft Kirk Dillard view results