State GOP says McCain is Illinois' type of Republican, if only ...
ST. PAUL - Strip away the Barack Obama frenzy, and John McCain looks a lot like the type of Republican Illinois once embraced.
Maverick Republican war hero with an acid tongue and ties to a nearly unlimited supply of beer. Hey, what's not to like?
But with Obama mania sweeping through his now-solidly blue hometown state, the only person with lower expectations around Chicago might be Kyle Orton.
The situation has GOP leaders wishing for a Democratic opponent from any state but Illinois.
"We really feel (McCain's) style of Republican politics is quite relevant in Illinois," says state Republican Chairman Andy McKenna.
Republican Govs. Jim Thompson, Jim Edgar and George Ryan were all more likely to be tolerated by the party's social conservatives than championed.
But, like three-term state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, they consistently won statewide elections off their appeal to the often-more moderate GOP in the collar counties.
Likewise, McCain has had much trouble with his own Republican base, having previously blasted evangelical Christians and sided against his party on issues ranging from campaign finance to illegal immigration.
In Illinois, that kind of crossover appeal, with other conservative credentials - such as on tax policy - has proved to be a winning mix for Republicans.
Former GOP Gov. Jim Edgar said he believes the same voting bloc that elected him twice would in most years be drawn to McCain.
But he chafes that Obama's presence makes this anything but a normal year, making it likely McCain will bypass the state in his bid for the White House.
"I could understand if they don't pick Illinois. It's the right strategy from a national point of view," Edgar said. "But from our point of view, it's unfortunate we don't have that activity, something to kind of rally the troops."
Some hold out hope and say the conventional wisdom could be in for a shock on Election Day.
Perhaps, they say, the hometown pride for Obama will fade, and the Republican base will be energized by a politician of McCain's ilk.
"I think it's going to end up being a race," said House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego. "I think Barack - granted he's the 'favorite son' from a political standpoint - peaked, and I don't think he can continue to rise."
Other Republicans temper their enthusiasm with a heavy dose of political reality.
"Does McCain have a chance in Illinois? I think McCain's going to do well," said DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett. "I think he's going to do a lot better than people expected."