Last night, we went to Shelbyville to watch the Illinois Republican Party Governor candidate debate.  I would like to thank Shelby Co. Republican Party Chairman Brad Holbrook and his people for putting together the viewing party!

I had the advantage of watching the Homer/Lockport debate the night before so I am able to compare and contrast performances and messages.  So let's take a look at how the candidates did:

First, the moderator did a great job.  However, the questions were a bit bland.  The questions to the individual candidates were far less hard hitting than the previous night.  None of the questions really delved into the issues the candidates had supported in the past or things they had done in the past.  I felt the Homer/Lockport Tea Party debate held the feet of the candidates to the fire, whereas the ILGOP's questions were more fluff than substance.

Andy McKenna - actually showed up to the debate last night compared to the night before.  Didn't really make much of a splash on the stage.  Spoke in generalities of what was wrong and what he would do.  His performance was a classic example of talking much, promising little.  Talked about the cost of Medicaid bankrupting the state.  Seemed very subdued while walking up to the stage and while on the stage.   Needs to study his Illinois history though.  On a question about his favorite story of Abe Lincoln, he talked about Lincoln and the Transcontinental railroad.  What?  Stephen A Douglas, the DEMOCRAT Senator from Illinois was one of the leading proponents of the railroad which lead to the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas-Nebraska Act.  Lincoln at the time was a lawyer, and semi-retired from  politics.  

Jim Ryan - soft spoken.  Really an almost carbon copy of McKenna's performance.  Still unsure whether the average voter can get past his last night.  Jim Ryan is not related to George Ryan, but can the average voter get past that?  After watching last night, I still cannot really tell you what Ryan stands for.

Adam Andrzejewski - He seemed full of ideas.  He has a 3 point or 4 point plan for everything.  Fumbled a bit on a homeland security question - talked about eVerify and borders, but not about safety per se.  About the only thing that Adam sounded stumped on.  Supports the "Put-Back" amendment.  I personally do not support this amendment because I feel it circumvents the vote against the Con-Con from last election.  Being on stage right, he used the same joke that all the other candidates are to his left.  Adam seemed to smile or smirk through every question.  Other candidates seemed more serious.  Did not do too bad considering he was going up against some seasoned political veterans.

Bob Schillerstrom - We get it, you're the Dupage Co. Board President.  We get it that your county is doing good.  However, cut and paste government does not always work.  As an afterthought,there are more people that just him on the Dupage Co. Board, but he seems to be almost breaking his arm patting himself on the back.  I pretty much wrote Schillerstrom off after the Homer/Lockport debate. 

Dan Proft - Full of ideas.  Like Andrzejewski, he laid out specific economic and tax policies he would pursue.  Two good debates in a row for Dan.  Seems very knowledgeable on the issues facing Illinois. 

Bill Brady - Didn't do much to hurt himself.  Laid out specifics for improving Illinois.  He flipped the Lincoln question to Reagan.  Two good debates in a row.  Like Andrzejewski, and Proft, Brady had ideas for fixing the economy, education, health care, etc.. in Illinois.  Seemed to convey the air of governor again.

Kirk Dillard - Mr. Generality.  Talked about making Illinois into a "destination economy".  Didn't really explain how he would do that.  Between the two debates, Dillard seems to not have a definite plan for anything, but has a general answer for everything.  I was still burning a bit from the Homer/Lockport debate answer about the Obama ad.  If he flip-flops on that, then what else will he change his mind on.

Brady, Andrzejewski, and Proft seem to be the 3 clear choices for governor at this point.  I encourage everyone to listen to WLS 890AM at 7pm this evening because they will be replaying the debate.  You can also listen via streaming on the WLS website.  What's the score after the 2 debates?  Here's my take on it :

Brady - 9 out of 10
Andrzejewski - 8 out of 10
Proft - 8 out of 10
Ryan - 5 out of 10
McKenna - 5 out of 10
Dillard  - 4 out of 10
Schillerstrom - 3 out of 10