Like a lot of people, 2008 was rough for me financially. My life savings weren't with Bernie Madoff, but it was pretty bad and I've had to help family members in need. As it was the worst of times economically, it was the best of times politically and in addition to giving too much to Obama I made a lot of small donations to really inspiring candidates for Congress. Even if my 401(k) hadn't gone into the toilet my New Years Resolution was not to donate any money to any candidate in 2009. I wanted to wait until 2010, so I can see how the races are shaping up to make intelligent decisions on allocating increasingly scarce resources. I've also grown sick of constant political fundraising appeals. Now more than ever too, there is a need to give to food pantries and other direct assistance organizations.
Less than two weeks into 2009 I've broken my New Year's Resolution already because the most important race of the next cycle is on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 in just 51 days when the Democratic primary is held in Chicago's 5th District to replace Rahm Emmanuel in Congress. Tom Geoghegan made me break my New Years Resolution.
Even though I've never met Tom, I've been reading books and articles by him for years. He is a movement progressive and a visionary. At a time when the economy is more important than ever, he has more to say about integrating progressive values with a strong economy than anyone else. Tom would shake things up and really shine in Congress. His website doesn't quite do him justice but here it is: http://www.geogheganforcongress.com/ much of his writing is available with The Google (I still have trouble consistantly spelling his name correctly).
There are something like 18 candidates in Illinois-5 and I'm not sure about the political dynamics of the race. Anything can happen in such when so many candidates run. The Netroots can really make a difference but there is just a tiny opening in terms of time to do so. The Primary IS the election in Illinois-5. Broadcast television is probably too expensive for a last minute blitz so the real question is if Tom will have the money, in the next two weeks or so, to build a winning organization along with targeted media.
Nothing would put the Democratic establishment more on notice about the power and promise of the Netroots than a victory for Tom Geohegan. Unlike most congressional races a win in IL-5 would help build a movement, not just elect a candidate. That is why Tom Geohegan made me break my New Years Resolution.
http://www.geogheganforcongress.com/