This upcoming 2012 primary election brings back some stark memories of late July/early August of 2009.  Everyone knew that Roland Burris was not going to run for the Senate seat he illegally held (because Blago illegally appointed him).  The race was on for who would get the nomination for each major party to run for US Senate.

In fact, each candidate running for office was supposed to be chosen by the people in the respective parties in the primary.

Unfortunately, it didn't work that way.  Long before the primary, long before anyone had turned in any petitions, the IL GOP and their allies (County Chairmen and federally elected GOP, including Rep. Shimkus) decided who they wanted as their GOP nominee for US Senate....Mark Kirk.  Need evidence that Kirk and the IL GOP were in bed together from the get-go?  Just ask someone where the IL GOP state office is located.  Better yet, ask WHOSE office the IL GOP is located in (and where).

So let's fast forward to today.  We face redistrictng of districts state and federal because of the census.  We face another primary.   We face the same GOP party forces trying to dictate which candidate they want to win the primary.  Ladies and gentlemen, it's July and did you know the GOP primary has already taken place???  Forget about the 2012 primary, it's already been decided who will win the respective nominations!

There are several GOP challengers in various State Rep. districts and some even in State Senate districts who are not incumbents, but who are people that decided that it is time to run for office.  Meanwhile, we also have incumbents who are moving into new districts to re-run for office, or we have incumbents running for office in their old district.

Here's where it gets nasty.

Illinois GOP
The IL GOP claims to take a hands-off approach to picking primary winners, but yet they tacitly support the process.  If they truly were neutral, Pat Brady & Co. would publicly admonish any politico, office holder, or county party officials that endorse one candidate over another in public or behind closed doors.  The IL GOP knows this favoritism and bullying takes place to clear the field for their "Chosen Ones" but yet does nothing which makes the IL GOP just as complicit.

County Chairmen
As it stands, many of the County Chairmen are merely yes men to the IL GOP.  They act as a collective mind with absolutely no will or desire to challenge the status quo, upset the apple cart, or challenge the establishment within the GOP.  Far bit it from the County Chairmen to remain neutral in the primary as well.  You see, as their elected GOPers call, write, email or visit them, they are lost in the wonder of being wooed by those in power.  As a result, likes butter on a warm roll, they melt before the party insiders.

Now it is generally taboo (some say against party rules) for County Chairmen to openly endorse one candidate over another in the primary.  No such rule applies for Vice Chairmen/Co-Chairs from endorsing to my knowledge.  As a result, we now see some these 2nd in commands endorsing one candidate over the other in an effort to push the "less desirable" (to the IL GOP) candidate out of the race.

The Challengers
It really is absolutely disgusting behavior by some of our elected GOP, party officials, and others who have called certain primary challengers telling them to get out the race.  "You'll burn your bridges with the party".  "Your political career in this district is over if you pursue this". "I won't support you even if you win the nomination".  "You're finished in the political world in Illinois if you choose to pursue this".

Is this the behavior we have allowed to take place?  Because of sensitivities and friendship loyalties, I will not disclose who these statements were said to or who said them, but I assure you, they took place.  And it's despicable.

I encourage you to attend your county GOP meeting and spur a debate about who is running for office in your district.  Pay close attention to the reaction of the County Chairmen and their minions within the local party.  Then I encourage you to call our elected officials and explain to them - nicely - that you do not appreciate what is going on behind closed doors to disenfranchise you and potential challengers.  They are removing your right to choose who you want to represent you by voting in a FREE AND FAIR PRIMARY ELECTION.

In closing, I find it abhorred that we get preached to by party officials on how we are supposed to recruit new people to get involved in the party, we are supposed to encourage people to run for office and we are supposed to encourage people to vote in the primaries, BUT, we see what actually takes place - new people in the party are told to "wait their turn" (that's a another direct quote), or are relegated to the sidelines because they bring new ideas or challenge the status quo.  Those new people that do decide to get involved quickly become disenchanted with the political process as they see the backdoor gamesmanship that takes place.

A great friend of mine Loren Heal once said that "a primary challenge is the best exercise of democracy." I just wish the IL GOP would allow FREE AND FAIR democratic process to unfold.  The best candidates will rise to the top and win the nomination - and that's what scares the IL GOP.