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AP Photo/Rick Stevens
Gun Owners of America announced on Wednesday that they will be endorsing Hinsdale real estate developer Pat Hughes (R) for the U.S. Senate formerly occupied by Barack Obama. And as I noted on Monday, the Illinois State Rifle Association backed retired judge Don Lowery.
This is becoming a recurring theme.
Grassroots conservatives are increasingly divided between these two candidates--at a time when the Republican Party is throwing its full support behind a pro-abortion, anti-gun RINO (Mark Kirk) who voted for Cap-and-Trade and is reportedly leading in the polls.
This is not exactly the time to be splitting the conservative vote.
Still, there is a movement right now within the Tea Party movement to reverse course on supporting Hughes and back Lowery instead. Lowery has scored major points with Tea Partiers, 9/12 activists and Reagan conservatives in recent weeks, particularly with its release of a convincing new campaign video.
But Hughes, who never voted or did anything remotely political until he was drafted to run against Kirk, has the money, most of the endorsements and the support of the conservative establishment.
I personally want to support Lowery and will likely vote for him, particularly after watching a principled underdog like Scott Brown prevail in ultra-liberal Massachusetts. But I still worry that all we are doing is getting Kirk elected.
Let's hope the grassroots can settle on a single candidate within the next two weeks.
Comments
Well I think this is indicative of those who do the research and get the facts about a particular candidate and those who just look and media blurbs and form opinions. For those of us who know Don Lowery and what he is and stands for realize what is right and what is wrong. Pat Hughes is just wrong. He is being bought and paid for by big money. He is a long term baby professional politician in the mold. Lowery believes in 1 or 2 terms at most and coming back home. He is a true citizen legislator who teaches the constitution. That is what we need in DC. Not someone who may have read it once...
This is also happening in the gubernatorial primary. It would have been nice if only one strong small government, lower tax rates candidate emerged in both races but although I also prefer Lowry, I'll vote and work for Hughes because he has money and is more likely to beat Kirk. No matter how idealistic we might be, politics is the art of the possible. The main difference between liberals and conservatives is that conservatives are chained to reality.
Dan, the problem is this - who will make it past February 2nd? Hughes has too many unexplained problems in his past that the Democrats will eat him alive. Not only is this a race against Kirk, it is a race against the Dems. Don does not have that problem. So if you want to fall for the "he's got the money" line -even though that's NOT grassroots, fine. Besides, how do you know he's got the money? Because somebody told you that? I'm still waiting to see his FEC filings to see if he had $1.5-$2 million on December 31st like he promised. Or will he be another Obama - full of promises?
Send the Judge a donation or get out and work for him!
Dan, I don't think you could have personally met Don Lowery. Because, if you did, you would not be able to vote for Hughes. Hughes will turn out to be another RINO - and even worse, an "empty suit". Looks good on the outside - but when you unbotton the coat, there will be nothing inside. Did you know Hughes stated that he had voted for Reagan? However, when the math was done...he wasn't even old enough to vote! I don't think MA was a mistake. We need to stick behind the candidates that are as far removed from any entrenched political machine as possible. Lowery is by far the best candidate to represent Illinois voters in D.C. I will finally be proud of the senator from Illinois when he wins!
Honestly I am tired of the Lowery simpletons. I attack them because I do respect the judge. He is a good man. However, I will be voting for Hughes, also a good man. Attacking a fellow conservative is just stupid, therefore the people attacking Hughes are just stupid. Attack Kirk you dimwits. grow up.
The judge has $6.00 in his campaign fund, no organization and is siphoning votes away from someone who has a chance. Oh did I mention he is polling under 1%? WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm sure plenty of people said Scott Brown couldn't win . . .
Judge Don Lowery is just what Illinois and the country needs in the Senate. He will have everything he needs to win in November. WE THE PEOPLE just need to get him on the ballot.
Patrick Hughes is a RINO!!! He is arrogant, very inconsiderate, and does not care what his constituents want!!! Hughes is only out for himself!!!
VOTE FOR DON LOWERY FOR US SENATE!!!!!
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