Quiet debate for hopefuls

Adam Andrzejewski (from left), Bill Brady, Kirk Dillard, Andy McKenna, Dan Proft, Jim Ryan and Bob Schillerstrom participate in the Illinois Republican Party 2010 Gubernatorial debate Thursday at Hilton Hotel in Chicago. (AP photo)

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CHICAGO – The full field of Republican candidates for Illinois governor faced off for the first time Thursday in a bloodless debate that focused more on their similarities than any small differences.

The candidates agreed that gov­ernment spending was out of control and said the state’s budget deficit could be closed without a tax increase, although they offered few details on how to accomplish that.

They praised vouchers and school choice as the key to improving education. They promised to focus on creating jobs and making Illinois more business-friendly. They criticized President Obama’s proposals to overhaul health care, saying they would try to keep Illinois from participating if a “public option” is created.

They accused Democrats of running Illinois into the ground, saving particular scorn for disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

“We know the Democrats can elect Mickey Mouse if they nominate him. They’ve proven so,” joked Bill Brady, a state senator from Bloomington.

The debate format did not let the candidates confront one another, so there was little opportunity for them to bring up policy differences or raise questions about their opponents’ records.

One area of disagreement did emerge: What it will take to be a good governor.

Those with government experience argued that it took government experience. Those with management experience said it took management experience. Those with no experience said it took vision.

“This is a leadership election and not an experience election,” Adam Andrzejewski said.

The debate opened with each candidate being introduced Chicago Bulls-style, with an announcer growling their names as a spotlight flashed across the darkened room.

Jim Ryan argues that his two terms as attorney general and his reputation for integrity make him the GOP’s best hope of exploiting any Democratic weakness.

Andy McKenna gave up his post as chairman of the state Republican Party to run for governor as an “outsider” who can clean up Springfield.

Ryan and McKenna face a trio of officeholders who think their time has come: Brady, Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale and Bob Schillerstrom, chairman of the DuPage County Board.

Then there are Andrzejewski, who has made government transparency the key theme of his campaign, and public relations consultant Dan Proft, who argues establishment Republicans have worked with Democrats to corrupt state government.