TA's sources have confirmed that Dan Seals is sending out e-mails on behalf of The Point as its Director of Outreach. He also can be found making comments on The Point website, encouraging campaigns such as the boycott of Citgo gas stations. Maybe more on this later, but boycotting Citgo gas stations would harm many Americans (over 4,000) who work here in the U.S. (
see the urban myth buster story here), so Dan might want to re-think that particular call for action.
Dan signs his posts on The Point with this thumbnail pic:
Isn't that just too cute for words? Just what I want in MY congressman! Dan's e-mail at The Point is
dan@thepoint.com. Drop him a line and ask him how the new gig is, and if he's still running for Congress.
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12 comments:
Do you think this is a hoax? He can't seriously be running for congress when he works for a company that targets area businesses? My orthopedic surgeon is listed as a target!
No hoax, BOH. My source actually received a marketing e-mail from Seals earlier this week.
It does seem a little otherworldly, though, doesn't it? Who advised Seals that this would be a good job to take? If he needed the dough, take a less visible position than one where you're blasting propaganda all over cyberspace while you're supposed to be out campaigning!
Seals gets more and more strange -- Footlik is far more normal and capable
I read an editorial by Kalbfleisch in response to Kirk's call for boycotting BP wherein he references that same Snopes article. That's how I know about it. It's a great little reference, isn't it?
It is definitely a nice reference. But the difference is that Kirk was talking about boycotting BP to get its attention on the issue of Lake Michigan pollution, unlike the idea of boycotting Citgo for the purpose of making a political statement against a dictator in another country.
And, then, as the snopes article pointed out, it's a little silly to protest a country that is threatening not to sell America gas by convincing Americans not to buy their gas.
It seems like Dan Seals is no longer a business consultant then. Why do reporters call him a consultant? He is clearly now a professional political activist.
From now on, every news article should say: "...said Dan Seals, a Wilmette activist."
But Sparticus, if he really lives in Wilmette, why does one of Dan's campaigns target Kroger stores and the other target return fees at Hollywood Video? Neither of these businesses has a location in or near Wilmette.
I'm still waiting for someone, anyone, to tell me how one makes a living from The Point. And please give me a job description for the "business developement" position that Dan holds these days. Publia, he does live in Wilmette but clearly the "problems" are limited to city issues, not ones in this district. So this wannabee congressman turned bi-partisan political activist has turned his time and attention to helping solve the problems in Chicago. Sounds about right to me.
Dan Seals Ducks and Dodges Debates
Seals flip flops from his earlier pro-debate history
Highland Park, IL – The Footlik for Congress campaign today issued a challenge to Dan Seals to stop ducking debates. On October 9 th, Seals declined to attend a debate recorded by Comcast on October 9th and Seals refused to commit to a debate that was to be hosted by Dane Placko and Jack Conaty on Sunday, October 21st .
"How quickly Dan Seals has changed his tune on the importance of debates," said Simon Behrmann, campaign manager for Footlik for Congress .
"It is absolutely essential for the voters to hear our contrasting visions for America,"
– Dan Seals [Dan Seals for Congress Press Release, 8/4/06]
"February 5th will be a historic primary election and voters expect to hear directly from both me and Dan Seals," said Jay Footlik. "I hope Dan will agree to a series of debates. The voters deserve to hear who has the best vision to represent the 10 th District in Congress and which of us has the best experience to defeat Mark Kirk in November."
"After Mark Kirk ducked and dodged 14 debates in 2006 with Dan Seals – one would think Dan Seals would be the first candidate asking for debates – not dodging them," Behrmann continued.
Mark Kirk turned down fourteen invitations before accepting one with the League of Women Voters. And after criticizing Kirk for not debating him, Seals skipped a scheduled appearance between the two candidates in Waukegan .
SEALS STRESSED IMPORTANCE OF DEBATES; CRITICIZED KIRK
Seals Expressed Importance of Debates Between Candidates. Seals requested six debates with opponent Mark Kirk. According to an August 2006 press release from his campaign: "'It is absolutely essential for the voters to hear our contrasting visions for America,' Seals said. 'Only after weighing our positions and how we plan to address some of the critical issues of our day - such as escalating health care costs, the war in Iraq and escalating energy prices - can voters make a thoughtful choice in the November election.'" [Dan Seals for Congress Press Release, 8/4/06]
Seals Criticized Kirk for Not Participating in Debate Series. In August 2006, according to a Press Release from Dan Seals' campaign, "Dan Seals, Democratic candidate for the Illinois 10th Congressional District, today criticized his Republican opponent, Rep. Mark Kirk, for refusing to participate in a series of debates. 'I sent Rep. Kirk a challenge to six debates in September and October, and asked that his campaign get back to us by August 9th so that we could organize these vital discussions swiftly and efficiently,' Seals said. 'More than a week has passed, and Rep. Kirk has not contacted either my campaign or me.'" [Dan Seals for Congress Press Release, 8/17/06]
Seals Said He Was Willing to Work With Third Parties to Debate. In August 2006, according to a Press Release from Dan Seals' campaign, "'Because Rep. Kirk or his campaign has so far refused to talk to us about debates, we're willing to work with third party groups to arrange a debate schedule,' Patrick Mogge, Campaign Manager for Dan Seals for Congress, said." [Dan Seals for Congress Press Release, 8/17/06]
SEALS, KIRK ONLY DEBATED ONCE; KIRK DECLINED 14 INVITATIONS
Seals and Kirk Met for First Time at Debate; Kirk Declined Fourteen Invitations to Appear With Seals. In October 2006, according to the Chicago Jewish Star, "According to a Jewish Star estimate, 1,200-1,400 people attended the LWV forum, by far the largest such event covered by this newspaper in 16 years. The forum was the first - and only - public meeting of the two candidates. According to Seals, Kirk had already declined 14 invitations to appear with his opponent before accepting this one. There were no plans before the Nov. 7 election for any other joint public appearances." [ Chicago Jewish Star, 11/3/06]
Seals and Kirk Participated in League of Women Voters Forum on October 26. On October 26, 2006, according to the Chicago Jewish Star, "At a League of Women Voters forum featuring the two candidates on Oct. 26 at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, the 600-seat auditorium filled to capacity well before the evening program began. The overflow gathered in three separate areas of the school lobby to watch the debate on closed circuit televisions and, in another area, on a projector screen. The crowd remained attentive throughout the 70-minute program." [ Chicago Jewish Star, 11/3/06]
WAUKEGAN DEBATE – SEALS SKIPPED
Seals Did Not Attend Debate in Waukegan. In November 2006, according to the Lake County Sun-Times , "Republican Congressman Mark Kirk's Democratic challenger, Dan Seals, clamoring for more debates with the incumbent, canceled a scheduled one Tuesday night at the City Cllub of Waukegan." [Lake County Sun-Times , 11/2/06]
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About Jay Footlik: The son of a single, working mother, Jay Footlik grew up in Skokie and worked his way through college and law school. Jay was an advisor to President Clinton and worked on a variety of issues from security and peace in the Middle East to health care reform. Since his time in the White House, Jay has worked on global projects aimed at reducing our dependence on oil and creating international stability and supporting fledgling democracies. Jay and his wife and daughter live in Buffalo Grove.
Well, TA was wondering about the debate status between Seals and Footlik, so I guess the above post answers the question. I may set a policy of no press releases to be posted wholesale here (this blog is supposed to be about original thoughts and comments--and links may be fine, but PR takes up a lot of room if posted in its entirety), but since I consider this newsy and a public service on this topic, we'll let it stand for now.
Dan Seals won’t debate Jay Footlik because Seals’ intellect makes the Rockies Wednesday night performance against Boston seem inspired and brilliant.
When it comes to debates, it’s time for a history lesson.
When our Congressional District had an open seat race in 2000, Mark and Lauren Beth Gash debated numerous times. As a junkie, it was great fun.
Then came 2002, 2004 and 2006 with Mark running against unknown opponents he seemed far less eager to debate. In 2006, Seals kept complaining to no avail. And, politically speaking, why should Mark give his far lesser known opponent any kind of stage? It’s smart politics.
Fast-forward to October, 2006, and Seals has plenty of name recognition among local Democrats while facing a strong primary challenge from an able Jay Footlik. Seals, like Kirk a cycle ago, doesn’t want to debate. Again, this is smart politics.
However, I have heard Seals, Footlik and Mark speak and have to agree with the baseball reference of an earlier poster. Seals is no genius.
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