More McHenry County Blog

Kass is clearly enamored with Rauschenberger. Part of the reason is probably because of Rauschenberger’s unsuccessful run against Bob Kjellander for Republican National Committeeman when Rauschenberger pretty well knew that he had no chance of beating Kjellander.

Kass has been crusading against the "bi-partisan political combine” for years.

So, Brady is asked whether Kjellander should step down as National Committeeman.

Here’s Brady’s answer:

You know, that’s a decision for a different day. I think Bob Kjellander has a lot of pressure on him—uh, uh—and I’m not, uh, in a position to make a comment on that now. Bob Kjellander knows that in my administration, he won’t make $4 million in consulting fees.

Kass characterizes Brady as “brave reformer Brady.”(That's not good for Brady.)

The follow up question is, “How does he know that, Sen. Brady?”

Well, you’ll have to ask him.

Kass then refers back to his editorial assistant Matt Walout's general political theory, mentioned at the top of the column:

Politicians have to have big mouths and tiny feet. They need big mouths to talk to us, and small fee so they don’t step on the toes on big, important ones.

I can’t remember how, but Jim Oberweis got crosswise with Kass in a previous campaign and hasn’t been treated with any respect since. Yesterday's encounter with Kass does not bode well for Brady.

Kass' concluding sentence: "Your tiny feet just said a big mouthful."

There was no mention of Ron Gidwitz’ roles in both state Republican adminstrations and in the administration of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.

That certainly might qualify Gidwitz for at least part of the Kass pejorative “bipartisan political combine.”

Obviously, Gidwitz did not make or need to make any money from his public service to top Republicans and Democrats. Maybe that excludes him from the "combine."

Kass seems convinced that Gidwitz ranks high on potential to clean up Illinois politics. Like Kass, I feel strongly that honesty in government should be right at the top of the 2006 political agenda. I'll be listening intently on this issue.

To return to McHenry County Blog, click here.

For another take on the same subject, go to Illinois Review and find the article entitled, "EATON: Brady won't take on KJ. Any ideas why not?"