IL-14 Poll - Foster Ahead!...Plus, More Hiram

First, the polling info.

Democrat, Bill Foster, is ahead of Wingnut Republican (more about that in a bit), Jim Oberweis, in the Special Election to be held on March 8 to replace ex-speaker, Republican Denny Hastert, in Illinois' 14th CD.

This is according to a tracking poll released by the campaign today. You can View the polling Memo here.

Here's the Skinny:

More after the flip:

You don't have to dig deep to find the gold in the poll:

Foster continues to hold a significant lead (47%-25%) among the critical segment of voters who identify themselves as Independents. Foster has also succeeded in consolidating his party behind him following the primary, as 89% of self-identified Democrats now say they will vote for the businessman and scientist. On the flip side, Oberweis’ biggest problem is his failure to consolidate his party following the negative and divisive Republican primary. Just 76% of self-identified Republicans say they will vote for Oberweis, a number which is less surprising when we see an astonishing 11% of Republicans who are STRONGLY unfavorable to him, a number which has not changed at all since the first survey we conducted (an additional 2% hold somewhat unfavorable views).

emphasis mine

As I wrote in an earlier post, think about the headlines if on March 9 if they read.....Hastert's Seat is now occupied by a DEMOCRAT. The implied headline would be, There are no safe Republican seats in November.

Now, Bill has been out-raising everyone in this race in terms of small dollar donations, so we have been holding a virtual fund-raising event for Bill called,

Bill Foster's Blue Plate Special,

where we are looking for people to donate $5.00 (or more) to dish up a plate of change for the campaign. So if you feel inclined to celebrate some good numbers and add to the coffers to help get a RUMORED ADVERTISEMENT on the air just in time for GOTV, grab a menu and order yourself a plate of grub for Bill.

...and now the Wingnut Republican PLUS part.

More Hiram

I'm going to have to tip the hat once again to Hiram Wurf of Wurfwhile fame.

First , a little background.

See, Jim Oberweis thinks the best cure for the critical condition of our health care system is to simply get rid of ANY payer system, demand people fend for themselves and just let the free market cure the problem itself. Now, if that's not pro-insurance, pro-pharma, screw-the-people enough for you, check out Hiram's find, Jim Oberweis Believes In Health Care For Cows - Not People

You read it right.

Oberweis Dairy demands its dairy farmers pledge "If a cow gets sick, we will treat her back to health using the best available medicines.....

Jim Oberweis supports health care for all cows in his business. But the Chicago Tribune points out Jim Oberweis is against employers providing health care insurance for people - he says employees should go it alone. Cows get guaranteed health care while people go without. Should we treat cows better than people? Yes, it sounds strange, but you know where Jim Oberweis stands.

It's a great post. Go read it...but before you do, drop some tip money for some good polling news, comfort food:

Bill Foster's Blue Plate Special.

Disclaimer Time: I am working with the Foster campaign, but I speak for myself.