This instruction from Daniel Burnham, Chicago’s famous architect and visionary, best sums up the recently concluded Cook County GOP Convention. An excellent plan is in place, and there is nothing small about it. Our party leadership is now more organized than at any time in perhaps a decade, and individual Republicans, activists and candidates alike have a party to rally around. We Republicans are inherently independent thinkers, but in Cook County, our party has now provided us with a “big tent.” Now it is up to us to fill it with Republicans of all stripes.
The revitalized Republican Party on display at the Convention featured quality candidates in addition to a plan. We heard fiery, motivational speeches from Republican stalwarts like Tony Peraica and Peter Roskam. In addition to the leadership and wisdom provided by those who have shepherded us through these difficult years, there was another encouraging sign for the future - young candidates. More than half of the candidates on display at the Convention were under the age of 40. As one of these young Republican candidates, I find it encouraging that my generation is stepping up to accept our role in the Party’s future.
The youth movement so evident in the Republican Party involves candidates at all levels. From Angel Garcia, running for County Clerk; to Dennis Cook and Matt Murphy running for Lieutenant Governer; to Joel Pollak, Isaac Hayes and myself running for U.S. Congress (9th, 2nd and 5th Districts, respectively), the Convention showcased young, energetic and highly organized Republicans capable of mounting serious challenges to the Democratic Machine’s flunkies at all levels.
Voter discontent in Cook County is high. The foolish economic and fiscal policies of the Democratic Machine at the county, state and national levels will continue to destroy existing jobs, discourage innovation and stifle growth, increasing voter anxiety as the 2010 election approaches. In Cook County, we Republicans now have a party through which to focus our energy. Now is the time for all of us Republicans to redirect our frustrations and channel them into action. Republican activists must speak up and continue to push the debate toward conservative values of limited government, individual responsibility and lower taxes. Republican candidates must also continue to organize and address the full range of issues with solutions in a disciplined and positive fashion that avoids those fringe issues and inflammatory language that have, in the past, crowded out our positive message of growth and opportunity.
