FeedPolitics: Moderation takes a setback as LaHood exists race for RNC
May 25, 2008 in Local, Statehouse & Capitol
Another benefit to the Journal Star’s new post-the-articles-on-as-they-come-in policy is that Bernie Schoenburg’s column and articles come in sooner. That includes this piece reporting that Peoria’s one and only congressman, Ray LaHood, decided to not run for Republican National Committeeman from Illinois. Instead, he’s going to visit Lebanon to help promote democracy there.
My two cents: This is not good news for those who want to wrest control of the state GOP from its so-called “right wing.”
Illinois has three members on the national committee. One is state party Chairman Andy McKenna, whose term runs through 2010. However, neither of the others, Bob Kjellander of Springfield and Mary Jo Arndt of Lombard, is seeking re-election when their terms run out at the end of the Republican National Convention in September.
…
Among candidates to replace Kjellander are Pat Brady of St. Charles and former state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger, R-Elgin. Among candidates to replace Arndt are Demetra DeMonte of Pekin, the Tazewell County GOP chairwoman and a member of the Republican State Central Committee; Carol Smith Donavan of Chicago, another member of the central committee; and Kathy Salvi of Wauconda, who ran for Congress in 2006 and is the wife of former state Rep. Al Salvi.
DeMonte, 58, said she hopes to be national chairwoman to carry Tazewell’s GOP success to the rest of Illinois. “I have been an effective county chairman in Tazewell,” she said. “We energize down here. We elect Republicans down here. We raise money down here.”
Mrs. Salvi is likely as conservative as her husband. And Rauschenberger? He’s one of those perpetual conservative candidates that suck all the energy and money out of the party.
So what’s left for LaHood? Here’s some idle speculation: Maybe he’s the next U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon. LaHood came out as an early supporter of John McCain, so he has an “in” should the GOP win the presidency this year. But remember that big hug he gave to Barack Obama when the senator paid a visit to the House of Representatives? Maybe there’s a place for in Obama’s administration for a fellow Illinoisan of the moderate persuasion?
May 26th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Demetra Demonte would make a horrible national committeewoman. She’s a control freak who has on a number of situations brought volunteers to tears with her disrespectful tone. From what I’ve heard most of the rest of the county chairs don’t like her and a sizable number of Tazewell Republicans aren’t fond of her either.
May 26th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Uncle Ray takes a vacation…..Obliviously, his zeal for reforming the Illinois Republican Party is taking a back seat to Ray’s retirement wander lust on the taxpayer’s time clock…Perhaps the next headline will read–
Former Congressman Rents a Winnebago and Tours Palm Beach….
May 26th, 2008 at 11:17 am
I’ve been critical of Congressman LaHood’s travel before. But representing the United States in Lebanon is not exactly the same thing as walking on the beach in Florida.
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Demetra Demonte,would make a good National Committeewoman for the Republican Party of Illinois. Her record of organization, raising money for the party and her support of candidates is hard to argue with. I have seen her working with other county chairman in the state and she does a good job. I have worked with her the last few years…yes, I am biased but I see the hard work that she puts into the job. When anybody runs for an office there are always those who crawl out of the woodwork to throw some dirt. If you want the straight scoop you can call me anytime, I’m in the phonebook, I don’t hide behind some false name. Lowell Schroeder, Morton .