Finally, some great and honest analysis of the Junkas-Flynn Republican legislative primary battle

The big debate in the battle between Jeffrey Junkas and Molly McAvoy Flynn, especially in the news media, hasn't been so much about the issues but rather about which one is a "Democratic plant." The debate reflects the divisions that exist in the Republican Party between moderates and hardline extremists who are trying to silence the divergent voices.

The Regional's Meg Sullivan does the best job in describing this battle in her report this week in the Palos Reporter Newspaper, which also covers Orland Park. Click HERE to read the story.

Flynn is backed by Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman, the Cook County Commissioner from the 17th District and Republican Committeeman in Orland Township. Junkas is backed by a rebel faction led by some of Gorman's critics.

The truth is that the Republicans can't afford this name calling and should instead focus on preparing to come together to challenge State Rep. Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy has been a muted member of the legislature. I don't know him and have never met him, though ironically his office is the equivalent of two houses north of my home. Amazing, isn't it, that I ran for the district rep spot in 1991 (in my bid to learn firsthand the experiences of a public candidate in launching my then political consulting firm) and McCarthy never says hi. That's because he does what he is told to do.

I don't blame McCarthy for doing what House Speaker Michael J. Madigan orders him to do. Madigan is powerful and smart, probably one of the smartest politicians in Illinois and maybe the MidWest. It always amazed me that Madigan would not have run for higher office like the U.S. Senate. But his power in Illinois is formidable and he is essentially Illinois' de facto Governor.

But I do wonder about the harsh attacks against Gorman and what motivates them. Gorman has really strengthened her leadership during the past two years. As a longtime Democrat myself, many years ago, I was one of her critics (and admirers, too). But Gorman has clearly redefined what voters need, someone who has an allegiance to a political party but who is also smart enough to reach across the partisan lines to work for the best interests of the voters.

The attacks against Gorman -- and some extremists in the Republican party have tried to blame her for this dispute between Flynn and Junkas -- are unjustified. She, more than anyone, has brought the best in the Republican Party together while being mindful of the needs of the 17th Cook County District. She's a dedicated Republican and if I were a member of the Republican Party, I'd take her advice on what needs to be done in Orland Township and the 17th District.

Gorman backs Flynn and that is a powerful endorsement that Junkas can't take for granted. His focus on the phony issue of who is or isn't a Republican is ridiculous. Every candidate in every election is always blasted as a "ringer" or a "plant" from the other side. A good candidate for public office pushes that aside and instead focuses on the issues and tells voters what needs to be done, rather than making excuses.

Whether either candidate is a plant is irrelevant. What's relevant is who is best to represent the party in making McCarthy accountable to the voters instead of to the State Machine.

end

GOP still rules roost in Orland Park

As many people who read OrlandParker.com know, Elizabeth Doody Gorman, the Republican Committeeman of Orland Township and member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, has had her share of criticism.

(One thing I keep telling you folks is that the reason voter turnout in Cook County's suburban elections is so low is that the politics out here is so darn confusing.)

But, I have to give Gorman credit. She has actually managed to bring together a formidable collection of local GOP activists.

And, she even managed to launch a web site for the Orland Township Republican Organization. I know, it's hard to believe an important organization wouldn't have a web site. But it happens, folks. (Not having the internet or a web site is like not having a telephone and a listing in the Yellow Pages, for those of my dad's generation.)

Which brings me to another achievement. Type in the words Orland Township Democratic Party on Google (that's a search engine on the World Wide Web for those dinosaurs who don't know) and whose web site turns up?

Gorman's Orland Park Township Republican Party blog is 3rd in line, which is, by itself, a major achievement. Number one on the Google listing is a letter from one of Gorman's precinct captains, Mark Daniel, in the Daily Southtown/Star from Feb. 2, 2009. (Who happens to be my neighbor. I'd say he is a "good friend" too, but I don't want to hurt his standing with his GOP colleagues! LOL -- that's Internet lingo for "Lot's of laughs" or "Lot's of Love.")

This blog and web site (http://www.orlandparker.com/) holds many of the top spots as a widely read news and blog sites. And there are listings for some candidates like judges, and more information on, you bet, Elizabeth Doody Gorman.

Now I am not saying thet Gorman is a Democrat. She's not. The Township is solidly Republican and is a major part of the Senate District of Senate Republican Minority Leader Christine Radogno, who has been on my radio show often. (Her 41st Senate District swings all the way from LaGrange, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, and Darien in the North to Most of Orland Park, Tinley Park, Lemont, new Lenox, Mokena and Frankfort.)

But it sure says something about leadership when you keep flipping through the Google index under "Orland Park Democratic Party" and you don't find one listing for Orland Park's "Democratic Party" headed by embattled Orland Park Mayor AND Orland Park Democratic Committeeman Daniel McLaughlin. (Orland Park has a GREAT Village Web site, thanks to the
IS Department, of course.)

But no web site for the Orland Park Democratic Organization. I know they have fundraisers. I know they have meetings. They have precinct captains, although you have to be friendly when they come knocking on your doors because some are a long way from home having to drive here all the way from the Chicago Machine's confines in the 19th Ward in Chicago. (Be polite when they say, "Eh. Is der a maul erawnd eair?" If you don't understand Chicago-ese, just shrug your shoulders and reply in their language, "Da Bulls. Da Bears. Da mayr!")