What do you do when after 30 years as the out party; you finally have gotten in; and your state is all blue; but your candidate has the baggage of Rod Blagojevich?
It's a hot topic right now over at SoapBlox/Chicago.
Do you:
So, it's up to us. We need to tell the story of the benefits of the Democratic Party, and by increasing the self-identification with the Democratic Party, earn more votes for Democratic candidates. We're in an envious position in Illinois, and we can't afford to lose our chance to continue to be the counter-narrative to Republican control in DC just because our Governor happens to rub some people the wrong way.
Or do you:
I don't believe its fair to say that Rod will not have a primary opponent. In the past year his numbers have gone down considerably and they aren't improving no matter how many publicity tours/stunts he does. Perceptions are changing.
It always pisses me off when establishment Democrats try to force something down people's throat by claiming it is the only option. I can just as easily claim that our only option for keeping a Democratic Governor is to dump Blago in the primary, and that may very well be true. Kerry was supposed to be the most reasonable, electable choice in '04 and look how that turned out. The '06 primary is not over.
Its a nice idea to suggest we sell the idea of being a Democrat while trying to ignore Blagojevich but that is completely unrealistic. Whoever is at the top of the ticket in '06 is who will get the most press attention and that is who will define what it means to be a Democrat.
Is Rod's circus and endless stream of news stories about scandals and pay to play politics how we want the Democratic Party to be defined in '06? If not, our only choice is to find a new nominee.
Frankly, Rod is going to sink the entire Democratic ticket for state and local offices in most of downstate. Keeping Rod is going to hurt Democrats running for office at all levels in downstate. Re-nominating Rod will hurt the party downstate even if he wins the election.
Come on over and join the discussion. Or do it here if you must.