Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2009, 12:02 am
The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus

Thursday saw political events so surprising that we”re still pinching ourselves to be certain they really happened.

Up first is a sight we”ve longed to see. Here in one-party rule Rock Island County, 300 hardy souls braved inclement and unseasonably cold weather to attend the 53rd annual Rock Island County Republican Party barbecue. In recent years the event in the heart of this one-party-rule county has been, to put it charitably, spottily attended.

Not this Thursday, and while the GOP always puts on a good spread, we doubt if it was the food that brought the faithful back to the fold. Rock Island County Republican Party Chairman Susie Carpentier said, “That shows me something. People are paying attention. They don”t like the way things are run in the state and they don”t like the way things are going at the national level. They”ve sat back for a while, but now feel they need to do something.”

If the tenor of the debate around the country and the content of congressional town hall meetings are any indication, a large segment of the public is unhappy and wants to do something about it. Good. That”s the way democracy is supposed to work and hasn”t for far too long in Democrat-dominated Rock Island County.

We hope the picnic is an indication that the death of the local GOP has been greatly exaggerated and that one-party rule is at an end. Voters are best served when they have clear, well-delineated choices at the polls. The challenge now is to get beyond the anger and to offer ideas and solutions.

We hope the turnout is an indication that a cadre of dedicated people is willing to do the hard work it takes to make the GOP vital again. It needs people like Rich Morthland, the lonely Republican on the county board. He is optimistic about the GOP”s future. “The feeling in the party right now is hopeful anticipation about the brighter future ahead, not only for our party, but also for our communities, our county, the state and the nation,” he said. “We are seeing a ground-swell of support around here and across the country. People are concerned about the direction their government is going, and they”re starting to take action.”

The local party is starting in the right place: filling empty ballots. “It has been a horribly disheartening thing year after year for Republicans to go to vote and not have anyone for whom to vote,” Mr. Morthland said. We agree and we”re convinced that there ARE people of quality, with strong ideas and the experiences necessary to make them happen who can be persuaded to share their talents with an electorate grown tired of business as usual.

One of those candidates who already has stepped up is Bobby Schilling. He is challenging U.S. Rep. Phil Hare, D-Rock Island, in the 17th District. If others follow, voters — whether they consider themselves Republicans, Democrats or independents, will be better served. The challenge is daunting, but it appears that the local GOP has started down that path. For the good of all, we hope they succeed.

Also offering hope for better government was an unusual veto ceremony in Springfield hosted by a governor who had once lauded legislation he now rejected attended by the two legislative leaders who played a critical role in its passage. Those responsible for this Alice in Wonderland moment should take a bow. A public intent on real ethics reform somehow convinced the power in Springfield that it was time to start over on the awful campaign finance reform charade passed in May.

Gov. Pat Quinn said he and leaders have pledged to go “back to the drawing board” so that real, meaningful reform can be passed during the October veto session. “Since the passage of the legislation by the General Assembly, we”ve heard from many, many people in Illinois — individuals, groups, newspapers — indicating there are areas it can be improved upon,” the Gov. said. “I like to listen to people.” Of course, had lawmakers listened to the people, and had the governor heard the wise recommendations of his own ethics panel, there wouldn”t have been any need for a do-over.

But we”re willing to leave the past in the past, if what comes of it is legislation that will truly limit campaign financing while reducing the influence of special interests, and not simply protect incumbents and increase leadership”s power, as the bill rejected Thursday does.

Senate President John Cullerton is leading the legislative charge for a better bill. We hope he also consults with the GOP leaders on hand Thursday who were largely left out of original debate on HB7. One of them, state Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, cheered the governor for his action Thursday. “There was tremendous pressure on the governor to sign a bill that would have maintained the status quo or made it worse,” she said. “I applaud him for not succumbing to that pressure.” Added the Campaign for Political Reform”s Cindi Canary, “What could be braver?” What, indeed. We join in the applause.

All in all, it was a good day for democracy.