As reported in pinback's recommended list diary last week, Joe Wilson was not the only Representative to disrespect our President during Obama's speech to Congress. Rep. John Shimkus, a West Point graduate, stood up and walked out well before the end of the speech.
As a constituent of Shimkus, I can attest that ordinarily when Shimkus does stupid things (enabling John Foley's harem of page boys), his actions are generally ignored by the press and the voters, but perhaps the tide will change this time.
Today Springfield's The State Journal Register had a scathing editorial as well as an editorial cartoon
Here are a few excerpts from the editorial:
U.S. REP. John Shimkus should know something about respecting a commander in chief. After all, the conservative Republican from southern Illinois graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point where the topic must have come up from time to time.
Walking out of a meeting is a theatrical flourish worthy of kindergarten. When it comes as it did during a presidential address before a joint session of Congress, it rises to the level of cheap showmanship that is full of sound and fury, but in the end signifies nothing but a lack of manners and an inability to listen to others’ ideas.
In 2006, I was a volunteer campaign office manager for Shimkus' opponent, Danny Stover. As soon as I heard about "the walkout" from pinback's diary, I immediately emailed Danny to see what his thoughts were in regards to challenging Shimkus in 2010. Stover had decided not to run again in 2008, but I knew that he had had regrets about that decision. I heard back from Danny the next day. He stated that he has been flooded with phone calls and emails asking the same question and that he was currently seeking advice and opinions.
During the 2006 campaign, I also was able to meet and get to know Shimkus' 2004 opponent, Dr. Tim Bagwell. Bagwell was a tremendous help to Stover and volunteered countless hours for several months. Bagwell also created and made available to the Stover campaign a voter database computer program that was extremely useful.
My work in the 2006 elections was my first step into politics and getting to meet both Stover and Bagwell restored my hope that all may not be lost in regards to political figures after enduring the stupidity of the Bush adminstration and his congressional enablers. Both Stover and Bagwell held true progressive values that were so very important to me.
Well ... just a few minutes ago I received an email from the president and founder of my local DFA group announcing the candidacy of Tim Bagwell for IL-19.
I am writing to announce exciting news. We now have a health reform candidate who will be running against John Shimkus for IL Congressional 19. Tim Bagwell has announced his intention to run.
Tim had considered running before last week. He had previously run in 2004 for the seat. The events of last Wednesday night when Congressman Shimkus walked out on President Obama's speech because he didn't hear anything "new" from the President cemented Tim's resolve to run. Tim like all of us knows that John Shimkus is a retired Army officer and found Mr. Shimkus' behavior "unbecoming to an officer". President Obama is the Commander-in-Chief. I met and worked with Tim Bagwell during Dan Stover's unsuccessful 2006 run for the seat. All of us worked hard but we fell short in 2006. I have continued to work with him as we promote a Progressive agenda in southern Illinois.
I have not communicated with Stover since Bagwell's announcement, but I anticipate that Danny will be elated that Tim is taking the baton for 2010. I expect that Stover will volunteer his time and abilities to help Bagwell defeat Shimkus. Bagwell has strong ties with the County Democrat parties in southern Illinois and I would be surprised if he has any serious primary opponents.
In his/her diary last Thursday, pinback and many commenters were looking for a candidate to "THROW HIM AN ANCHOR" ....
well, here is your chance:
Bagwell for Congress
Tim's personal website
and most importantly ...
Bagwell's ActBlue page