I keep coming back, though, to the stark ideological contrast and how we can use that. California is bankrupt. Illinois is our "Greece". I think that is movement in the right direction because it demonstrates, for the world to see, the consequences. It inclines families in the purple states to consider whether they - in Iowa and Missouri - should be forced to bail out their deep blue counterparts.
To that end, our message ought to be not one of weakness, not one of compromise, but one of extolling the failure of socialist ideology by lifting up the failing states as real-world examples for all to see. Hence, "let them fail."
At some point Illinois goes into play for the GOP. The Republicans who will win are likely to be considered RINOs by FReepers. I hope for a Scott or a Walker or a Snyder, but I don’t see somebody that aggressive on the horizon and at least right now the electorate isn’t fed up enough to elect conservatives to the State House.