JANUARY 16, 2007
RFFM.org EXCLUSIVE
On Saturday, January 6, 2007, the Lake County chapter of the Republican Assembly of Illinois (RA-IL) held a meeting in Cook County. The gathering was moderated by Founder Tom Roeser and RA-IL Lake County Chairman Col. Raymond True.
Col. True told RFFM.org the meeting was solely a Lake County chapter event. However, RFFM.org has learned individuals who are not current or past members of the RA-IL were in attendance. However, John McNeal and Earl Gough, leaders of RA's west suburban Cook County chapter, did not receive invitations, while some conservative leaders turned down invitations to the RA-IL meeting which the group referred to as a "Conservative Caucus."
One source told RFFM.org the agenda of the meeting for those invited seemed to revolve around appointing Jim Oberweis as the primary conservative spokesman in Illinois with a high office in the RA-IL. Oberweis, a wealthy businessman and perennially Republican candidate, did not attend the event. Sources told RFFM.org there was a clear attempt to elect Oberweis as a spokesman for RA-IL. But some speculate the meeting's goal would have expanded Oberweis' position as more than a spokesman for the group. It is believed some who attended the meeting were attempting to elect Oberweis as the leading spokesman for all conservatives throughout the state.
RA-IL also would like to become the umbrella for all conservative organizations in the state. However, the group could not reach a consensus and a vote taken at the meeting regarding the Oberweis issue failed to pass by a 7-6 margin. In fact, one RA-IL member who requested anonymity, told RFFM.org, "Invitations were clearly dependent upon one's opinion regarding Oberweis. The agenda seemed to backfire because even though those invited were cherry-picked for their political allegiance, the group could still not come to an agreement."
"We need leadership in Illinois,"said Col. True. "The Republican Assembly is looking to appoint someone who will adhere to and advance the GOP's state and national platforms. That's what we were trying to do. There was nothing underhanded about it."
But an individual told RFFM.org the notion given to those in attendance was one which emphasized secrecy. "I thought that meeting was supposed to be a secret." One member who attended, and also refused to go on the record, said he was reluctant to talk about the meeting's agenda and who participated.
Past statements made by some leaders of RA-IL concerned the lack of transparency which now exists regarding the Illinois Republican Party. Yet the nature of the meeting and how it was conducted has drawn criticism for the same reasons.
Some of those attending the meeting included Jim Leahy (President, RA-IL), Steven A. Leahy (RA-IL's chief counsel), Kathy Salvi (recently defeated in the Republican primary in the 8th Congressional District), Dave Diersen (GOPUSA Illinois Editor), Craig Simmons (Chairman, Illinois Center Right Coalition), Jon Zahm (Republican activist and political consultant), Joe Morris (a respected conservative and head of the Lincoln Legal Foundation), Lydia Downs (Executive Director, Family Taxpayers Network), Jack Martin (Republican activist), Joe Weigand (conservative activist), Ruth O'Connell (Cook County Suburban Township Republican Committeeman) and radio host Bruno Behrend.
For years the Republican Assembly of Illinois has, essentially, been inactive. It is not known if Jim Oberweis was aware of the vote taken by the group.
The group's next meeting is again being referred to as a "Conservative Caucus" and is scheduled for Saturday, February 10, 2007.
Below is Col. True's suggested 14 point criteria for a possible future RA-IL spokesman and conservative spokesman for the state.
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The following criteria for a conservative spokesman was sent out via e-mail by Col. Raymond True.
Criteria for Spokesperson selection
1. It must be someone who is willing to support all planks of the state and national Republican Platforms. Selectee must agree to seriously study the platforms and be readily conversant on all planks and the rationale behind them.
2. It should be someone who has state wide name recognition.
3. It should be someone who is already well known to the media and has been frequently contacted in the past and currently for quotes at opportune moments.
4. It should be someone who can devote considerable time to the endeavor without having to balance time away from a full time occupation.
5. It should be someone who is willing to commit significant personal funds to the effort and have sufficient name recognition to raise additional funds.
6. It is desirable, at least initially, that the candidate for spokesman not be on record as currently seeking elective office
7. It must be someone totally distant from the "Combine" or current leadership of the Illinois Republican Party.
8. It must be someone who cannot be portrayed as a "moderate" or "liberal" Republican.
9. It must not be someone who has accepted funding or other support from Unions or pseudo-democrat organizations.
10. It must not be a single or narrow issue advocate.
11. The Selectee must be approved by a minimum of two-thirds of the conservative caucus. Voting should be round robin with the bottom candidate dropping out if additional rounds are necessary.
12 The spokesman must be prepared to travel to Springfield and Washington at his own expense at least initially.
13. Spokesman will become Chairman of the Republican Assembly of Illinois.
14. Personal life style of spokesman should be above reproach as concerns marital history, infractions with the law and significant ethical or moral questions.
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