Denny's Gone. Together, We'll Take His Seat
Fri Feb 01, 2008 at 03:19:03 PM PDT
First of all, let me say that I am working with the Foster campaign. Let me also say that I work only with candidates in whom I believe.
On Feb. 6, all hell is going to break loose in Illinois' 14th Congressional District, because a special election campaign to replace Denny Hastert in Congress is going to begin. That's right, Denny's gone, and we want his seat.
The special will be held on March 8th and it will choose the first Congressman of this election season. The hell will break loose on the 6th, because on Feb. 5, there is going to be a primary to decide who runs in that election...and turnout should be huge with Obamamania hitting his home state.
I want us to win that seat. If we do, it will send an unmistakable message to the country that there will be no safe seats for the Republicans in 2008.
But, let me tell you why I support Bill Foster in that primary after the flip...
Before I met Bill in Chicago, during YK and at the Netroots Candidates Celebration, I thought nuclear scientist...? running for Congress? Well, that's weird. And then, after I spoke with him, I was impressed. I thought, why NOT a nuclear scientist? And the guy was willing to step aside from this really successful job and do all the really hard stuff that comes with running for office. I mean, he told me that he knew unseating Dennis Hastert was not going to be easy, but after he worked with Patrick Murphy's campaign in 2006, he was inspired. And that's what the Netroots is all about...real people, even nuclear scientists, inspired enough to take on the powerful to change the course of our ship of state. Works for me.
And, since he made the decision to run, he’s been busting it to build a campaign, gather support, raise money (and donate his own money as well) and win this race for the people of the 14th District and the country. And it turns out 26 NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS think Bill's the guy to do this. How cool is that?
Also, local bloggers are in his corner as well:
Wurfwhile
Aaron Krager
and Archpundit has been a fan.
Here is some of what Bill’s accomplished:
He's also been doing the hard work of raising money. Yes, he has donated to his campaign, but look at these numbers through January 16, 2008:
- 1399 contributions
- $435,796.10 raised
- Average contribution is $385.32
Also, the campaign has raised $62,867.31 from donations under $200.
In terms of issues, you can find much of his platform here, but of special note is Bill's position on Iraq:
Foster, of Geneva, says he would not vote in favor of any blank checks for the war. He said he would vote for additional money only if an appropriation bill included "very strong conditions that effectively mandate withdrawal of the troops."
Let me say that I respect Bill's opponents, John Laesch and Jotham Stein...as well as their Kossack supporters. Both canddates have strenghts, but I think Bill is the best choice for the job...and, judging from all the support and endorsements he's received from the region's newspapers, local bloggers, unions and progressive organizations, I'm not alone in my thinking.
However, all that will be decided on Tuesday.
I'm here to give everyone a heads up as to what is about to happen.
What's Ahead
On Tuesday, Democrats of the 14th District will decide their candidate to run against one of two very right wing Republicans, Chris Lauzen or Jim Oberweis...and they are going after each other.
There is a unity breakfast scheduled for February 6, where all three Democratic candidates have committed to participate and back the winner of the special primary. Bill Foster will be there, and I know the party will come out of that meeting united, ready to win the first Congressional election of 2008.
If the winner happens to be Bill Foster, I'll be here organizing support to help us take that seat and send a strong message the Republicans won't soon forget.
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