Hello everyone! Before I get to the substance of this diary, I'd like to introduce myself quickly. My name is Benjamin Haskin (Ben, preferably) and I am 20 years old. I'm born, raised, and currently reside in Chautauqua County, New York (born in the city of Jamestown, moved to the county seat of Mayville, which
I still consider home, after kindergarten). I graduated from Chautauqua Lake Central School (CLCS) in 2006 in the top ten of my class (7th), but not the top ten percent (alas, only 63 students in the Class of '06), which is one of my biggest regrets in life. My parents, both lifelong Democrats and teachers (mom, Judy-kindergarten, formerly special ed in the Jamestown school system; dad, Brian- special ed/computers at CLCS) have served as inspirations to me politically and personally, and have both played major roles in me developing into the ardent Dem I am today. I am a lifelong history buff (read through a middle school text book in 1st grade) and (CONFESSION ALERT) due to this aspired to be a Republican until Age 8, as Ulysses (in all fairness it's a rad name) S. Grant was my favorite President for a very short time. But by 9 I had learned to reason and my transition from the Dark Side was complete.
Hello everyone! Before I get to the substance of this diary, I'd like to introduce myself quickly. My name is Benjamin Haskin (Ben, preferably) and I am 20 years old. I'm born, raised, and currently reside in Chautauqua County, New York (born in the city of Jamestown, moved to the county seat of Mayville, which
I still consider home, after kindergarten). I graduated from Chautauqua Lake Central School (CLCS) in 2006 in the top ten of my class (7th), but not the top ten percent (alas, only 63 students in the Class of '06), which is one of my biggest regrets in life. My parents, both lifelong Democrats and teachers (mom, Judy-kindergarten, formerly special ed in the Jamestown school system; dad, Brian- special ed/computers at CLCS) have served as inspirations to me politically and personally, and have both played major roles in me developing into the ardent Dem I am today. I am a lifelong history buff (read through a middle school text book in 1st grade) and (CONFESSION ALERT) due to this aspired to be a Republican until Age 8, as Ulysses (in all fairness it's a rad name) S. Grant was my favorite President for a very short time. But by 9 I had learned to reason and my transition from the Dark Side was complete.
I am currently attending Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, double-majoring in Political Science and Urban Studies, with (definite) International Relations and (likely) Law and Public Policy minors. I was just elected President of the College Democrats here, and turning them into a force on-campus (we had a WHOPPING 4 meetings last year) is my current pet project. I work at Quality Markets (grocery store) during the summer as a stock clerk and Chartwell's (school's dining hall) during the school year as a dishwasher/The Waffler.
But enough about me, let's get on to the POLITICS of the diary. I have recently decided to create an ActBlue page that highlights at least one deserving candidate per state. However, as this is a democracy I would like to allow you (yes, you Kossacks!!) to vote on all the candidates that get a spot on my ActBlue page, as well as a $19.87 (year of birth) contribution from yours truly (I would give more, but I am a struggling college student). So onto the first state: Illinois!!!!
Rules: 1. Vote for your favorite candidate.
2. I will accept votes for 24 hours after the diary is posted.
POSSIBLE CANDIDATES
- Dick Durbin (Senate)- Solid, progreesive Senator. Against Sauerberg, however, he is safe.
- Jill Morgenthaler (IL-06)- Peter Roskam is a repugnant Republican Representative (ha, alliteration). Morgenthaler is a relatively strong candidate, being an Iraq War Vet and Ex-State Deputy Homeland Security Director, but she still trails Roskam in fundraising by a substantial amount.
- Melissa Bean (IL-08)- She seems much safer this year than in the past. Also, she certainly has not been the most progressive House Dem.
- Dan Seals (IL-10)- Well known in the Kos community, Seals is running to unseat Mark Kirk. Already added to Orange to Blue, which shows he is good on the issues most important to progressives. He came close in 2006 (losing only 53-47). A very winnable race where money could make the difference.
- Debbie Halvorson (IL-11)- This is an open seat left vacant by the sometimes corrupt, sometimes just blatantly right-wing Jerry Weller. She seems strong on the issues. Also, her fundraising pace has been excellent, and the seat seems almost a certain to go Dem in November (the original Republican nominee dropped out).
- Scott Harper (IL-13)- This one may be the sleeper in Illinois. Harper's fundraising has beat expectations, and he is giving Judy Biggert a good fight thus far.
- Bill Foster (IL-14)- One of our newest Democratic Congress members. I would be more worried about him if Obama wasn't on top of the ticket and his opponent wasn't the inept (and that's being kind) Jim Oberweis.
- Steve Cox (IL-15)- A longshot. While incumbent Tim Johnson's fundraising has been far from stellar, Cox is yet to file any report at all.
- Robert Abboud (IL-16)- Abboud is attempting to unseat Donald Manzullo. A long-shot for now, but Abboud has posted ok numbers.
- Colleen Callahan (IL-18)- We probably had a better shot with Versace, and Callahan now has a late start. But ask yourself this: Do we really want to send Aaron Schock to Congress?
- Daniel Davis (IL-19)- Davis' fundraising has been anemic thus far. Incumbent John Shimkus also has well over a million on hand.
http://www.actblue.com/...