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Bill Scheurer and Melissa Bean
As many of you know, Bill Scheurer is running as a third party candidate against Melissa Bean and the eventual Republican primary winner in IL-8. Also as many of you know, Bill is generally very progressive in his stance on issues and will be challenging Bean from the left. What you may not know is that in 2004 Scheurer also challenged Bean in the Democratic primary and was defeated 78% to 22%.
I wrote Bill a letter last week to ask about why he has decided to run as an independent rather than again challenge Bean in the primary. I also asked about his response to those who would categorize his run as a perceived spoiler in the mold of Nader or Perot. Finally I asked about his thoughts on making third parties viable in the United States and his stances on elevtion reform. Below the fold I'll present the full text of my letters and Bill's responses. Cal Skinner has also published the first part of my correspondence with Bill at his blog, "McHenry County Blog". I also e-mailed Rep. Bean's office to get her take on Bill's candidacy, but did not receive a reply.
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