Seeking a Voice in the Illinois Senate Seat (Update)

Both the Democratic and Republican primaries in Illinois a week ago produced candidates unacceptable to themostsearched's principles. As a lifelong Republican, themostsearched has tried in our mind every conceivable flip flop of what do to with this unacceptable outcome. Do we remain loyal to party or to principle? Might it send a strong message to the President and to Congress to elect a GOP Senator from the seat formerly held by Obama? By adding an "R" to the Senate numbers might just the GOP be able to take back the Senate in 2010?

Although Don Lowery did not pull out victory, that he garnished a full 9% of the vote when polling just 2% two weeks prior (Chicago Tribune) is a testament to the last-minute momentum he was gaining as voters began to get to know him and support him. With citizenship outside of Illinois and unable to vote for Lowery, we were proud to have supported this great Judge.

So began our reasoning for what to do in this race. Our first decision was easy: despite being Republican, we would not financially contribute nor endorse the GOP primary elected candidate Kirk. The next question we really struggled with: do we remain silent and let Kirk fight his own battle or do we oppose and support someone else?

Silence is not a great option for a blogger like themostsearched who likes to speak the truth and get it all out. Besides--even though we have said "silence...conveys nothing about our opinion" which we hold true as there are many, many issues we wish to speak out on but don't find the time to--we felt the need to provide our opinion on this particular race as we have already been vocal. So the truth is themostsearched finds both Kirk and Giannoulias revolting as choices for Senator and felt as many do in Illinois without a voice.

We found a couple of solid choices for a principled candidates we like: Conservative Libertarian Mike Labno and Conservative Independent Mike Niecestro. Were we to live in Illinois our vote in November would go to one of these candidates or someone like them.

Many will argue that a Republican vote for a Labno or Niecestro would be "throwing away your vote." First of all, themostsearched has learned to never let anyone demean your voting choice when you have thoughtfully and prayerfully (being so inclined) done your best to seek out someone to represent your state, your country, and uphold the Constitution. Second, not only is such a statement demeaning, but it is oft used as intimidation by a candidate who is threatened: that is, if likeminded people all "threw their vote away" they would quite probably overtake the leader and thus end up not throwing their vote away. The bottom line is that no one can dictate anyone else's vote, so to my friends in Illinois: go vote your conscience.

One of the big arguments that will arise this election will be for us Republicans to unite behind Kirk because with Kirk we can gain the majority in the Senate. Honestly, if that is the goal rather than the means to the goal, then go right ahead and Kirkify yourself. Yet it seems to themostsearched that the reason why we can sometimes get congressional majorities but never hold on to them is because we aren't true to principles. We claim as Republicans we are for smaller government and then go and pass Medicare Part D and institute the unconstitutional "No Child Left Behind" program. This does nearly irreparable damage to our image and all the independent voters start looking at the Democratic party. The long term best option for the growth of the Republican Party is to find Congress members who hold to principles including our party platform and most importantly our Constitution. Voting for Kirk who proved his stripes last year by voting for Cap n Tax might be a short victory for the GOP but in the long term will do greater damage to our party. Don't forget the "Obama Obsession" my fellow Republicans: how quickly that sweet taste of victory turned sour for the Democrats who elected a candidate doing irreparable damage to his own party.

Were it to come down to this, themostsearched would rather us lose a potential GOP majority but stay true to principles so that after Illinois saw the permeating corruption continue under Giannoulias, the Land of Lincoln too might unshackle themselves like Massachusetts and throw off the chains of corruption in 2016.

As more primaries come onto view in the coming weeks and months: let Illinois be a signal to GOP that themostsearched has revolted and will not support candidates like Kirk even if it means costing the GOP seats and offices. We stand unabashedly for principles over partisanship.

Finally to be clear: we will apply this same standard to our own Bailout Bob Bennett. Should by some unfortunate, remote chance Bailout Bennett become the GOP nominee we have full plans to revolt as well and seek another. Fortunately, with a plethora of good candidates to choose from (and an exceptional one in Cherilyn Eagar) themostsearched shouldn't have to do so and will be able to vote for the Republican nominee for Utah Senate in November 2010.

+++ Update 3/27:
In lieu of Medi-geddon we have reversed our opinion about not supporting Kirk. We also note that Bailout Bennett signed the same repeal pledge although we are hoping to defeat him in Utah's May 8th convention.