IL GOP for Rudy?

Illinois House GOP leader Tom Cross of Oswego will hop on Rudy Giuliani Presidential bandwagon.

This week, Giuliani's campaign is expected to announce that Illinois House GOP leader Tom Cross of Oswego will become its state chairman. More than a dozen state lawmakers and county chairmen also are expected to endorse Giuliani, who has been receiving fundraising help from former Republican governor candidate Ron Gidwitz.

The Chicago Tribune article also mentions that State Rep. Jim Durkin of Western Springs is John McCain Illinois State chairman for this Presidential campaign. While former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and of Robert Kjellander, the state's GOP national committeeman, are backing Mitt Romney.

Going into the next election cycle, the Illinois GOP continues to be in disarray. With the fall of Dennis Hastert from GOP House leadership, Illinois Republican lacks a clear leader to help rebuild their party. Senator Dick Durbin is up for re-election in 2008 and the Republicans do not have a creditable candidate to run in the race. Several Republican House incumbents will face touch re-elections fights. The possibility of having Senator Obama on the top of Democratic ticket in Illinois as its Presidential candidate will only turn state of Illinois more bluer across the board.