Giuliani may bring a friend to DuPage GOP dinner
Rudy Giuliani's loss could be a plus for about 1,000 DuPage County Republicans scheduled to attend Friday night's sold-out Lincoln Day Dinner.
The annual GOP gathering, originally planned as a campaign stop for Giuliani, appears to have been retooled late Wednesday to feature GOP presidential front-runner Sen. John McCain.
State Sen. Dan Cronin, who also serves as party chairman, said he hopes to present both Giuliani and McCain to dinner attendees at the Drury Lane Theatre and Conference Center in Oakbrook Terrace.
"Rudy still wants to come here and keep his commitment," said Cronin, himself a McCain delegate. "But the purpose of Friday's event is now for him to introduce Senator McCain to a room full of thunderous Republican applause."
When Giuliani accepted the invitation to attend the dinner, he did so with the understanding he would be the night's only speaker. But that was when he thought he'd still be in the presidential primary race.
When he dropped out of the contest Wednesday night, it changed the significance of his appearance.
"I'm confident McCain will be there and be the highlight," Cronin said. "We made the commitment to Giuliani, but I've got to do what's best for my party. Bringing McCain over here is best for the party at this point."
McCain previously had scheduled a campaign rally for 5:45 p.m. Friday at the Odeum Expo Center in Villa Park. Cronin said the 7 p.m. start and 8 p.m. speaking time of the dinner should allow McCain enough time to attend both functions.
Campaign officials from both camps declined to respond to telephone and e-mail questions regarding the Lincoln Dinner schedule. But delegates for each said the chance to meet and hear both men at the same event would be worth the $150 admission.
"That would be a tremendous event. I'm happy to hear that," said DuPage County State's Attorney Joseph Birkett, a Giuliani delegate. "I admire both men a great deal, so with Rudy out, I will be wholeheartedly endorsing John McCain. He's a true American hero."
Rep. Bob Biggins, a Republican from Elmhurst, also backed Giuliani, but will be listening closely to what McCain has to say Friday.
"He's likely going to run the Republican ticket so he's the guy to watch now," Biggins said. "I hope we do get to see them both together working together at some point."
Meanwhile, in Lisle, Giuliani's lone Illinois campaign headquarters looked like it was ready to close as well. Four volunteers sat on chairs Wednesday afternoon in the otherwise empty office near a pile of telephones stacked on the floor.
They declined to comment on the future of the office. Lisle Mayor Joseph Broda, a Giuliani supporter, however, had an idea.
"They could transform that into a McCain headquarters tomorrow," he said, acknowledging the campaign has a monthly lease. "That way the landlord keeps getting his check and Lisle stays on the map as a Republican stronghold in DuPage County."