Maybe Illinois will matter, after all

January 8th, 2008 at 10:14pm Chuck Sweeny

Now that neither the Repubs or the Dems have a front runner, perhaps Illinois’ Feb. 5 primary will have meaning for the first time in years.

That’s the hope of U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo, R-Egan, who told me Tuesday night that the message from New Hampshire is that “For the first time in a long time, the people will actually have a choice” in picking the next presidential nominee in both parties.

“I think it is very possible that both parties could go to their conventions without a nominee. I think it’s pretty exciting that you had Obama win Iowa, and you have Clinton holding New Hampshire. On our side, Huckabee in Iowa, and McCain took New Hampshire,” Manzullo said.

“You’re down to two people on the Democratic side. On the Republican side, Huckabee and Fred Thompson are neck and neck in South Carolina, and Rudy Giuliani is skipping the early primaries and contesting Florida. So it’s wide open.”

Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, also said he believes Illinois’ primary will matter.

“We could become more of a player in both parties this time. IT’s good that it’s still a wide open race,” says Syverson, also a delegate for Thompson.

“There are a number of good candidates and while I’d like to see Thompson win, I’d have no problem supporting any of the other (GOP) frontrunners,” Syverson said.

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