IL GOP Hawks "Fire Madigan" Paraphernalia At RNC

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Aug 29, 2012 3:00PM

Illinois Republicans gathered in Tampa for the Republican National Convention, and they've designated House Speaker Mike Madigan as their punching bag, launching the website FireMadigan.com dedicated to paraphernalia with the logo seen at right. A Madigan spokesman laughed the Republicans' gumption off, saying, “Not much success then. No reason to think their luck will change.”

“We need to make a change, people recognize that,” said Illinois GOP Chair Pat Brady. "We’re just going to create awareness about the damage Mike Madigan’s policies — or lack of policies — have done to the state of Illinois. That’s a message that’s really resonating (with voters.)”

In the meantime, Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) (The Congressman Of Abs) sat down for an interview with the Sun-Times and hinted at a 2014 gubernatorial run with some pointed criticism of Gov. Pat Quinn. “He’s been in state government for 30 years. He’s been at the helm of the state for what will be six-plus years. He’s proven incapable of turning the ship around,” Schock told the Sun-Times.

Sen. Mark Kirk appeared by video to greet the congregation saying he wished he could be there. The senator continues to lay low as he recovers from the stroke he suffered in January of this year.

In the video which the Tribune describes as "heavily edited," Kirk says, "We need Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, and their brand of fiscal conservatism. I want you all to remember especially our congressional candidates. The team that we have fielded has switched the Illinois delegation from being majority Democrat to majority Republican." Watch the video below, via WGN-TV.