Schillerstrom not 'No' on Gitmo

Bob Schillerstrom appears to be one of the few, if not the only one, in the crowded Republican primary for governor to not come out blazing against a plan to bring suspected terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to a western Illinois prison.
"We are saying we shouldn't have a knee-jerk reaction to this," said spokesman Brad Hahn. "There needs to be some reasonable discussion."
Schillerstrom put out a release just before the close of business today saying he wants more information on the security precautions that will be taken before making up his mind on the deal, which could be a cornerstone to President Barack Obama's plan to close the controversial Gitmo.
The current DuPage County Board chairman says he also believes security should be the top issue in the debate, not jobs.
"We should all agree that the safety of our communities must be the first consideration of government and not compromised, regardless of perceived economic benefit," said the Naperville Republican in the release. “It is stunning to see some sidestep public safety and address this as a question of job creation. And it is also surprising to see others dismiss those jobs without discussion of the merits of the proposal."
The release continues, "More information would assist all parties in separating fact from fiction. That is why I urge the Governor’s Office and White House to detail security safeguards planned for the Thomson Correctional Center and its surrounding communities – as they should have in the first place."
The tone Schillerstrom presents, and the tightrope he walks, comes in clear contrast to statements made by his competitors in the primary field. As the only candidate who supports legalized abortion and gun control, Schillerstrom's best shot at winning the primary could be appealing to moderates in the party.