Capitol Fax (a great IL political blog checked by all the Springfield insiders) is reporting House Speaker Madigan is proposing moving up the IL primary to Feb 5.

This is all in effort to help Obama! As an Illinoisan, this is good news though. I would love to see the Primaries become more relevant in my home state since most people write off IL. It would mean more vistis by Mitt. I do have a pull out bed on my sofa if he needs a place.

From GOP Bloggers:

John McCain’s appears to be the smallest site. A black and white design with links to donate, sign up, a bio, as well as a few speeches and a statement on the death of President Ford. In other words, a low maintance site.

Rudy Giuliani’s is a step up from McCain’s. For starters, it has color, but also includes a page explaining his record on various issues, and an extensive biography. Still, it’s only a fair site.

Sam Brownback’s is a bit better in regards to content offered, but is poorly designed and very unnattractive and the news room section hasn’t been updated since December 4, 2006. It makes me feel like the site was launched out of obligation, but quickly forgotten.

Mitt Romney’s is by the most elaborate and attractive site, and it’s updated regularly. It’s got color, style, and even a page outlining his positions on key issues. It has a media page (MittTV) with plenty of videos for you to view, and an impressive mechanism for key fundraisers to login via the ComMITT system.

Yes, looking around at sites a few days ago these were also my opinions. I am glad it wasn’t just my own bias peeking through. It gets better though:

Each candidate certainly knows the importance of using the internet to get their message out and to build up grassroots support, but if the candidates exploratory committee websites are any indication of their campaign’s real understanding of that importance, Romney is way ahead of the competition. Romney’s exploratory committee shows the most potential to effectively engage the internet grassroots. In fact, he was the first to start a BlogAd campaign (to my knowledge), probably prompting Rudy Guiliani to follow suit.

Early grassroots support is key, which means the time to engage the bloggers is now. From the looks of things today, Romney’s positioned himself the best of any of the current candidates who have set up exploratory committees.

Another point in Romney’s favor is all the great unofficial grassroots sites set up in support of Romney. When you have people doing it on their own accord for free, it’s really quite a statement. Check out our links section out, you will see how big the grassroots movement is.

The New GOP Bloggers Poll is up for Janurary. Go vote for Mitt!!!

You can also help him stay ahead at Krusty Konstervative’s poll (on the left sidebar).

Also, you can listen to the 34 minute radio interview Romney did with Glenn and Helen Reynolds (of the ever influential Instapundit Blog) yesterday (or download the mp3 here).

Boston, MA – Tonight, Governor Mitt Romney appeared on the "The Glenn and Helen Show" and responded to video clips that have resurfaced from his 1994 U.S. Senate debate against Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA). Because Governor Romney has made strides with conservatives based on his strong record as governor, opponents have focused attacks on ancient footage from 13 years ago. Governor Romney's call into the show and comments on the 1994 debate can be viewed in a new posting at Mitt TV:

"Well, I just got a look at the excerpts from my debate against Ted Kennedy in 1994. It reminded me of why I ran against him in the first place. Someone had to give him a run for his money.

"Now, it also shows what 13 years will do. I'm grayer. I'm a little heavier. And I hope I've grown a bit wiser as well.

"Of course, I was wrong on some issues back then. I'm not embarrassed to admit that. I think most of us learn with experience. I know I certainly have.

"If you want to know where I stand by the way, you don't just have to listen to my words, you can go to look at my record as governor. Frankly, in the bluest of states. Facing the most liberal media in the country. I've led the fight to preserve traditional marriage. I've taken every legal step I could conceive of, to prevent same sex marriage.

"I have also taken action to protect the sanctity of life. I vetoed bills that authorized embryo farming, therapeutic cloning, Plan B emergency contraception, and of course a redefinition of when life was going to begin as well.

"I've also fought for family. I've promoted abstinence education in the schools.

"I fought for English immersion in our schools and school choice . And of course as you'd expect from a Republican, I've held the line on taxes and I've worked to re-instate the death penalty .

"And I'm proud that at the same time, I've fought discrimination. I believe every American deserves equal opportunity.

"Now, that's my record. And maybe that's why people on the other side are dredging up 13 year old history and attacking me now."

To view video, please see: http://mittromney.permissiontv.com/?showid=36427

Just wanted to let everyone know there is a new Mitt Romney wiki link (not mine). The people editing Mitt Romney’s wikipedia article thought it was getting too long, and so broke it into a couple of sections.

This is the link for most of the Mitt Romney policy information, and so hopefully everyone will update their “links lists”.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governorship_of_Mitt_Romney

~ Mike