Kane visit marks start of ’08 race

9/8/2007

Kane County Chronicle

Paul Dailing

AURORA – Ah, the signs of the seasons – the first robin of spring, the first colored leaves of fall, and the first campaign visit of the election cycle.

On a rainy day, Kane County saw the season turn from summer to 2008 presidential campaign with a visit Thursday by Ann Romney, wife of Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

Ann Romney spoke to a group of supporters during a brief visit at Aurora Municipal Airport before boarding an airplane to Michigan.

“I just thought there was going to be two or three people,” Ann Romney said upon seeing the group of about 20.

The stop was a target of opportunity, said state Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Pontiac. Ann Romney came to Chicago that morning and had a few moments at the Aurora airport, said Rutherford, chairman of Mitt Romney’s Illinois campaign.

With the election more than a year away and campaigns already out and about, it could be a long election season.

Kane County Board member Philip Lewis, R-St. Charles, was one of the people who came to the airport to meet Ann Romney. He said a long campaign season has its benefits.

“One benefit about it is, if you have an interest, you should have an opportunity to come out and listen to every campaign,” Lewis said.

For Batavia resident Anne Snodgrass, the stop was not to help choose who gets her vote, but to support a campaign she already believes in.

“I’ve met her husband at a meeting and I think he’s qualified – more so than anyone else or at least as qualified as everyone else – to run this country,” Snodgrass said.

Ann Romney’s visit came the same day her husband appeared on the Fox News program “The O’Reilly Factor.” Ann Romney said Mitt has the support of the conservative pundit.

“I joke with Mitt that it wasn’t until [O’Reilly] saw me that he said, ‘Oh, yeah. [Mitt Romney’s] the guy,” Ann said, laughing.

It could be as soon as a week before the collar counties receive their next shot of ’08 presidential juice.

Rutherford said Mitt Romney may visit on Sept. 13.

“I don’t think it will be in Kane County,” Rutherford said. “Possibly DuPage.”

If it happens, Mitt Romney’s visit will involve the endorsement of a “major corporate CEO.” Rutherford did not identify the CEO in question, but referred to the executive as “she” at one point.