Dupage Policy Journal

To better understand why the GOP fails again and again and again, focus your gimlet gaze on Illinois’ inept and foolish GOP. Then focus on the microcosm of DuPage County that is slowly turning blue for lack of O2.

Recently, campaign donations made by Republican leaders to the campaign of far-left candidate for DuPage County Board, Deb Conroy, generated a warranted backlash against GOP leadership in DuPage County. 

In a desperate effort to curb the controversy, DuPage County Republican Chair Jim Zay sent a letter to DuPage County Republicans in which he criticized—not the GOP quislings – but those who criticized the quislings. 

You can’t make this stuff up. 

The DuPage Policy Journal provided details of the troubling contributions: 

“Zay’s note to DuPage County Republicans comes after Republican DuPage County Board Member Sam Tornatore donated $1,000 to Conroy’s campaign coffers.

“Former DuPage County Board member Republican Donald Puchalski also donated $500 to Conroy.

“Both Tornatore and Puchalski donated to Conroy’s campaign at the same time after receiving financial support from GOP township organizations in Addison.

“Conroy has also won the favor of Republican Pete DiCianni, whose W!n Marketing was recently paid $1,230.71 by Conroy’s campaign.

“The firm provides political strategy and tactics, direct mail, web development and print services in aid of campaigns.

“DiCianni once said, ‘You know what? (Deb Conroy) is my friend,’ while running against her for the chairman position in the DuPage County Board of Commissioners election.”

Below is an excerpt from Zay’s scolding in which he trots out the over-used and misused quote from GOP hero Ronald Reagan – a quote exploited by every Republican who wants to silence GOP conservatives. Please note the irony in Zay’s criticism of colleagues while admonishing them not to criticize colleagues:

“Dear Fellow Republicans,

“The current climate of tearing down fellow Republicans when we don’t agree 100% is hurting our Party. Instead of agreeing to disagree and work together on issues we do agree on to build our Party and expand our base we do the opposite and call out our fellow Republicans and we look foolish and disorganized.

“I am a ‘Reagan Republican’ I believe that we are the ‘Big Tent’ Party, we have room for all Republicans no matter how they feel on certain issues. I also believe that true leadership is bringing people together; respect that they might have other beliefs on certain issues but we agree on more issues than we ever would with the other party. We can have spirited conversations but we have the respect to “agree to disagree” and move forward together.

…

“Finger-pointing and fighting is not the answer and that path will only continue to election losses. I am not saying that anyone should change their principles but telling others to change theirs doesn’t work either. If we don’t come together as a Party then we will be destined to be the minority party for years to come. A Republican in an elected office is better than one of the other party.

“For the last three years, I have tried to bring people together and will continue to do so and for those who want me to tear down and call out members of our Party publicly, that will not happen.

“I will follow Ronald Reagan's 11th Commandment: ‘Thou shall not speak ill of any fellow Republican.’

“God Bless and thank you for all your work on behalf of our Party.

“Jim Zay

“Chairman, DuPage County Republican Party”

So much to respond to, so little space.

The most significant error in his reasoning – and it’s a whopper – is the unstated premise that all disagreement among Republicans should be tolerated in co-belligerent silence as Zay clearly implies he was? 

Some questions for Zay: 

Was Reagan referring to Republicans donating to campaigns of Democrats – their political enemies – or was he referring to minor policy differences? 

Zay foolishly calls Republicans who call out traitors in their midst “foolish.” No, such Republicans are wise and principled. It’s Zay who appears foolish – and unprincipled – especially when he spouts nonsense like, “We have room for all Republicans no matter how they feel on certain issues.” 

Should Republicans refrain from criticizing colleagues no matter how far afield from the Republican platform they stray? 

Reductively called “social conservatives” are accustomed to having Reagan’s quote used as a weapon by Republicans ignorant of the import of human slaughter, marriage, and sexuality on the common good. 

By now, even centrist-y, libertarian-leaning Republicans should be able to see that those issues are undermining our most cherished First Amendment protections and poisoning the public square. 

The relentless scorn-heaping of centrist-y Republicans who commanded social conservatives to hold their tongues and then hold their noses and vote for other centristies have played a huge role in constructing the purplish-blue tent Zay favors. 

Let’s imagine how the centristies would respond if their GOP colleagues supported higher taxes, more business regulations, and climate hysteria. What would Zay say if GOP colleagues donated to BLM, Bernie Sanders, and crime boss Joe Biden?

Former state representative and gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives challenges Zay’s view: 

“No Illinois Republican should be donating to or showing up at any Democrat fundraiser. Democrat policies have destroyed the state of Illinois. I am disgusted that any of my fellow Republicans would do so or defend other Republicans who do so, especially a fundraiser for Deb Conroy.

“Conroy is opposed to every single aspect of our Republican party platform. Any Democrat that cares about public safety shouldn't support Conroy either. As a state legislator she sponsored and voted for a bill to decriminalize enough Fentanyl to kill 1500 people. She also voted for the SAFE-T Act that has received national attention for its radical provisions that lets dangerous criminals roam free. For ten years in the Illinois House, Conroy was a Madigan foot-soldier and played the game to get elected again and again with his money. She has voted for legislation increasing taxes and spending and hurting business and families. Republicans should oppose her at every turn. Any Republican that donated to Republicans who turned around and donated to Conroy should ask for their contribution back.”

Defending his own virtue, Zay writes, “True leadership is bringing people together; respect that they might have other beliefs on certain issues.” Donating to the campaigns of leftists, that is, aiding and abetting political enemies who may be personal friends has nothing to do with unifying the GOP from within. If Zay doesn’t understand that, he should lose his position. 

Zay said, “A Republican in an elected office is better than one of the other party.” Maybe tell that to Tornatore, Puchalski, and DiCianni.