GOP turns up heat here, while Clinton backs off

Republicans ratcheted up their push for suburban votes Thursday as the Hillary Clinton campaign appeared to back away from a costly fight in Barack Obama's home state.

The Clinton campaign revealed Thursday night that it has no plans to run television ads in the pricey Chicago market. Still, the campaign has established a volunteer network and is hoping to wring out at least a few delegates from the state.

"We plan to compete … and do very well," said Clinton spokesman Isaac Baker on Thursday.

Former President Bill Clinton made a campaign stop downstate Wednesday, but that may be the last time Illinois voters see the Clintons until after the election. Hillary Clinton had no immediate plans to visit Chicago or the suburbs as of Thursday.

Meanwhile, the GOP presidential race in Illinois still appeared wide open as prominent Republicans hit the campaign stump for their picks.

Former U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert, a Plano Republican, made the TV and radio show rounds touting Mitt Romney.

The longest-serving GOP House speaker labeled John McCain a "populist" who works too closely with Democrats. He also suggested the 71-year-old may be too old for the White House.

And while Sen. McCain was basking in the endorsement of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, he also received the nod from former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar Thursday.

"He has the best chance of any of the candidates to be elected," Edgar said.

Edgar had previously endorsed former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who dropped out Wednesday and backed McCain.

Tonight, McCain is slated to attend the DuPage County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner in Oakbrook Terrace and a campaign rally at the Odeum Expo Center in Villa Park.

There has been no word on any local stops for Huckabee or Romney.

Further down the campaign trail, Clinton announced that Park Ridge will be the site for one of 21 town hall forums on Monday night, the day before the primary. Clinton was raised in the suburb.

The forums, which will be moderated by Clinton supporters, will feed questions to the New York senator via satellite. The event will be broadcast on the Hallmark Channel.

The local forum will be moderated by Arlington Heights resident Betsy Ebeling, one of Clinton's childhood friends.