Medill. Typical.
Good thing I hadn't known that before, I never would have voted for the woman.
That's Illinois State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka. Yes, I vote for Republicans, as long as they're not, you know, fucking evil.
So, it's a rare thing.
Couldn't find a recent interview -- then again, I didn't look terribly hard -- so here's one from The Illinois Leader from last July 24th:
KRYSTLE: What do you say to those who criticize you and say that you are very liberal compared with most Republicans?TOPINKA: I guess it would depend on who you talk to, because there are those who don’t think I am very liberal at all and think I’m very conservative. I don’t think anybody really knows. It’s especially like looking at a diamond ring - they pick out the facet that they like or dislike and dwell upon it.
I have, I think, very moderate stands. I have very conservative stands. On money, fiscal responsibility, and how you run a government, I’m extremely conservative, but I do believe in equal rights for everyone, equal opportunities for everyone, and I think that’s not only very American, I think that’s extremely Republican.
[. . .] If the Republican party is going to want to stay a little nugget of people, a very small, internally-looking organization, it will wind up like the old Whig party, which is irrelevant, marginalized, and ultimately, unexistent, and I would hate to see that.
Others, of course, rather like being small, internally-looking, irrelevant and marginalized. But I've been avoiding reading the warbloggers lately.
Well, been avoiding reading much of anything, which is why I only just noticed the whole Michael Moore.com : Mike's Message : Blog thing:
Well, it's late. Gotta get up to see who the next veep is. 62% of the country is female, black or hispanic. What are the chances? Ok, how bout in my lifetime? Before Halley's Comet returns?
Hope he wasn't too disappointed. . .
Anyone know of or working with any Greater Chicagoland Area groups in need of volunteers, by the way? Expect I should do something to stay off the streets and away from the computer.
Comments
Probably badly remembered:
This only goes to show if you've the wit
To be small, common, cute, and dine on shit
Though the cage fret kings
You may make free with it.
-Howard Nemerov
I think I got that right. I think it was Nemerov. Anyway, I thought of it when I read "small, internally-looking organization".
Posted by: dean | July 7, 2004 10:09 AM
I had this brief fantasy that he would surprise us and nominate my hero, Julian Bond.
And then I thought, "Oh, right, or maybe even Cynthia McKinney."
(And then I thought, "I wonder how many people realize that Bush and Cheney are both much crazier than McKinney.")
As you can see, I have a rich fantasy life.
Posted by: Avedon | July 7, 2004 11:05 AM
Me too, Avedon, but mine involves six super models, a turkey baster, and a pound of margarine.
Posted by: dean | July 7, 2004 11:19 AM