That was the message for the estimated 700 Chicago Republicans who packed into the Cubby Bear in Wrigleyville Monday night for an open bar, like-minded people and the feeling that for once they belonged in a city long considered hostile territory.

"If you think for a minute that because you're in Chicago your vote can't have an impact, you're wrong," 28-year-old Congressman Aaron Schock told the crowd. "You're vote does count, and in 2010 it will make...