New GOP leader Radogno plans loyal opposition State Senator Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) is not interested in using her new power position as Senate Minority Leader to pressure social conservatives in the caucus to moderate their votes, she told Illinois Review late last week. "On social issues, all members should vote their consciences and their districts," Radogno said, responding to grassroots conservatives criticizing the Republican caucus selecting her last Wednesday. Social conservatives pushed for State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont) to succeed Republican Senate Leader Frank Watson in January. They were especially leery of Radogno's past pro-choice votes and the campaign dollars she's received from pro-abortion Personal PAC over the years, amounting to $14,000. Would Radogno consider returning that money to Personal PAC to assure pro-lifers she's not beholden? "That money's already spent," Radogno said, "but let me remind you that Personal PAC hasn't helped us towards the goal of getting more Republicans elected. That's what I intend to do as leader of this caucus." Radogno said Personal PAC spent thousands of dollars to assist Democrats challenging her, and to elect Democrat Susan Garrett over pro-choice Republican Kathy Parker in 2002. This year Personal PAC worked to defeat Republican Dan Duffy, vying to fill retiring Senator Bill Peterson's seat. "I've already spoken with Dan Duffy about this, and we're looking for a way to push back on Personal PAC," Radogno said. But it's not just the left she's concerned about, Radogno said, it's the extreme right, too. Still stinging from a round of robo calls that went into southern districts last week, blasting Republican senators who had committed their votes, Radogno made it clear the calls did more harm than good. "Paul Caprio's robo calls caused our members to spend tons of time on the phone defending their decision to support me," Radogno said. "That was unnecessary and took our focus off what is really needed at this time." Conservative columnist Tom Roeser suggested this morning that Senator Radogno is especially close to gay rights activists, and other speculate her new position as Republican leader could add to their momentum to establish civil unions or gay marriage in Illinois. During a spirited primary challenge this spring, Illinois homosexual activist group Equality Now encouraged members to walk precincts on Radogno's behalf. So IR asked Radogno if the rumor was true that she met with gay lobbyists last Wednesday while the Protect Marriage rally was going on in front of the Capitol? "As Republican leader, I will need to be open to hearing from both sides of an issue," Radogno replied. "That will be a part of my job." Radogno says she's committed to leading a loyal opposition to Democrats' tax-and-spend agenda and will appoint a strong leadership team, including those in the caucus who are solid social conservatives. "Again, I will encourage them to vote their consciences and their districts," she said. Radogno said the 12 to 8 with two abstention vote indicated the caucus members were still unhappy with Senator Dillard allowing the Obama campaign to use portions of an interview in his campaign, especially in the Iowa Democratic Primary. They're also concerned about Dillard's unpopular support of the RTA sales tax increase last January. Three DuPage GOP senators -- Dillard, Dan Cronin and John Millner -- gave the Democrats the votes they needed to raise RTA taxes and keep endangered Democrats in swing districts from making an unpopular vote. "There's no question I'm fiscally conservative, more so than some others who've supported tax increases in the past," Radogno said. Radogno said her goal is to rebuild the Republican caucus over the next few years, saying it will take a joint, strenuous effort. "We will have a conciliatory focus as we move ahead," Radogno said. "We're getting started now." Source: Illinois Review Source URL: http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview Publish Date: November 25, 2008 Link to this article: |
November 25, 2008
New GOP leader Radogno plans loyal opposition
