Illinois GOP leaders meet at Hastert's home

PLANO (AP) - Key Illinois Republican Party leaders met at House Speaker Dennis Hastert's Kendall County home Saturday to discuss the party's future, State GOP Chairman Andy McKenna said. In addition to Hastert and McKenna, State Sen. Frank Watson and State Rep. Tom Cross also were at the private meeting, McKenna said. &#8220This is not an unusual meeting,” he said. &#8220We get together from time to time to talk about everything from broad ideas to tactical issues ... we're always trying to stay in touch.” McKenna said the attendees discussed where the party is headed, but he declined to provide any specifics, including who all the attendees were or how long the meeting lasted. Telephone messages left for Watson, Cross and a Hastert spokesman were not immediately returned Saturday. Political observers said talking points among state Republicans have lately included how to hone a clear message following last month's election when Democrats won every statewide race. The party has also taken a hit with Hastert losing the job of speaker - which he held continuously longer than any other Republican - when Democrats won control of the U.S. House. John Jackson, a political science professor at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, said the Republicans who gathered at Hastert's Plano home likely discussed &#8220how they get a farm club that will start winning again.” &#8220Right now, they don't have much in the pipe line,” he said.