Greg Hinz at the RNC looking at 2010

Crain's:

Illinois Republicans have been banished to the farthest, most unnoticed corner of the hall where the Republican National Convention is being held here in St. Paul. It’s an awfully good metaphor for the state of the state GOP.

Already weak and demoralized, Illinois Republicans are fighting to hang on to what little they have this election year. Leaders admit they’ll consider the year to be a success if they can minimize losses in the General Assembly this November and hold on to congressional seats in the northern and southwestern suburbs that Democrats are in danger of capturing.

All of that is sparking a lot of talk about how the party can put things back together — and who can do the putting.

Among those here who are showing at least a little leg for a race for governor or other statewide office in 2010 are a quartet of state senators: Dan Rutherford of Chenoa, Christine Radogno of La Grange, Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale, and Bill Brady of Bloomington. Also mentioned are Illinois House GOP Leader Tom Cross and DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom.

Business leaders are on the list, too, including former candidate Ron Gidwitz, Illinois State Chamber of Commerce CEO Doug Whitley, and venture capitalist Bruce Rauner, who notably has been in St. Paul all week even though he’s not a candidate. Some also suggest that west suburban native Steve Preston, currently secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs, might come home.

But how could any of them pull off a successful race in a very blue state, even with all the infighting among Gov. Rod Blagojevich and other Democrats?

Focus on developing young talent, a trait the GOP has lacked, says former Gov. Jim Thompson.

Looks like both the Democrats and the Republican fields are making the necessary moves to get ready for the gubernatorial race in two years. Both sides might be in agreement that there needs to be a change in the state's top office in 2010. We'll have to see about that!