I wasn't able to go to the Kirk-Seals debate as I was out of town. I noted that Ellen live-blogged it, but reading her account of the debate is like trying to get the truth about Barack Obama from the MSM. So, for those of you who attended, what did you think? Bonus question- does the debate even matter, considering Kirk's huge current cash advantage and numerous endorsements from the press and other groups?
UPDATED: Here's a balanced Pioneer Press article that'll give you a much better feel for the debate than the Seals shills. More here.
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17 comments:
"Polls are all over the place. It's probably a statistical dead heat."
When a candidate has the momentum he says we are up because you are working your asses off and the people are telling us that. That is not the speech and team Dan must wonder how they are going to do with 250k what they haven't been able to do with 4 years and 6 million.
Also horrifying to think we could wake up in 3 weeks without a single republican representing us at any level whatsoever.
I was there. Seals people out in force -- signs all over the place. I held a 4x4 out on Waukegan rd for a while - they'd come, smile, say hello, walk up about 5 ft and stand in front of me with their sign.
MSK was terrific. His closing statement, speaking from the heart, was the best I've heard from anyone. Wish we could make TV ads from that closing. Felt the moderator was pretty biased except when discussion turned to Blago. She had asked everyone not to clap, yell, etc. When Kirk side did she gently rebuked us. When Seals side did, she just smiled and put her hands out as if to say, stop. I have always found the LWV to be partisan so I have to dismiss them in anything they do. But they seem to be the only game in town for debates.
Anyway I saw fire in MSK's belly today. He was cool, calm, collected and very much on his game. I don't know if any minds were changed as usually the true believers from each side attend debates.
I saw the report on Ch 7 during the 5 PM news and it was OK although I was disturbed by the comment made that some recent poll shows the pup up by a pretty large margin. Maybe it was his old inflated poll.
Talked to some Polish and Russian immigrants on the way out. I am second generation Polish so it was a nice conversation, half English, half Polish (I need practice). Of course both groups were MSK supporters and said coming from socialism/communism they were naturally Republicans and believed in the R philosophy. How refreshing but I've heard that from many other Polish immigrants.
GO MARK!
My beloved Baxter dog started barking so I opened the front door expecting to see someone there. No one but I did see a Seals sign on my lawn. Somebody thinks they are being cute. Unfortunately I have a neighbor who is a big Seals supporter and know of several others whose identity I will not reveal as it could come back to haunt me. And the one is a very vindictive former elected official who has taken her venom out on me in the past while pretending to be my friend.
That's OK, a friend wanted a Seals sign so she could put a BIG RED CIRCLE WITH A LINE THROUGH IT and put it on her lawn.
Baxter's Mom
I was there and arrived early. The pup's team was over the top with many volunteers out on Waukegan Road with 4x4 signs, a drum and a megaphone.
When we finally got in, the League was very orderly. No problem with seating. I thought Rep. Krik did a wonderful job. As someone who has followed him for the past eight years, I thought his closing remarks from the hear was wonderful.
The clip on Channel 7 news at 5:00 was okay, but to begin with partison Stephanie Victor was to much.
The entire Kirk team needs to stick together and get the vote out. If you have an extra vacation day or two, please step up to the plate. Anonymous 6:16 is right, we could wake up 11/5 with no Republican reprsentation.....Please help Mark now!
Progress Ill has a poll with kirk up 6. If they have him up 6- bet kirk is up 10. Seals better pray the dccc airs the right message for him or he's going down....
I was there. Kirk kicked ass.
Seals: "My opponent may never have held a real job outside of Washington, which explains why he's so out of touch, but I'd love to give him a chance in a few weeks."
Kirk: "I am absolutely proud of my record, especially the real job serving my country in the UNITED STATES NAVY."
Thunderous applause.
[Paraphrased slightly. But it blew up in Dan's face in no less a hilarious fashion, let me say!]
1. That poll plus the 2 million, Mark has effectively ends any help he was going to get from dccc. Having worked in one of those war rooms I can tell you at this point they have 70 races and are looking at best return on investment. This is no longer a good return and Dan will be forced to fend for himself.
2. Mark's ads on taxes are NOT helping him. 6 percent of people in this poll care about taxes, that should be a sign mark should put up lots of ads on how he's created jobs.
3. Most independents these days are former republicans, this is the undecided vote and if they haven't gone dan already in this environment....
4.Signs point to Kirk 54-47, get that resume ready, Dan.
Just saw Kirk's new ad on Seals at GE. Devastating and right on the mark. It's the economy, stupid. 53-47: no change from 2006.
DCCC to Dan: Drop Dead.
Dan made a big deal the dccc promised him 1.5 million dollars. Well looks like they've given up on the pup.
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IL-10 DCCC 16-Oct Direct Mail $16,237.79
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IL-10 DCCC 14-Oct Direct Mail $16,237.78
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IL-10 DCCC 14-Oct Media Buy $41,065.84
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IL-10 DCCC 9-Oct Direct Mail $18,442.29
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IL-10 DCCC 7-Oct Direct Mail $18,442.29
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IL-10 DCCC 7-Oct Media Buy $41,065.84
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IL-10 DCCC 2-Oct Direct Mail $18,442.29
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IL-10 DCCC 30-Sep Direct Mail $18,442.29
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IL-10 DCCC 30-Sep Media Buy $41,065.84
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IL-10 DCCC 23-Sep Media Buy $41,065.84
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IL-10 DCCC 23-Sep Direct Mail $20,632.09
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IL-10 DCCC 12-Sep Media Prod. $9,235.00
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IL-10 DCCC 11-Sep Direct Mail $20,632.09
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IL-10 DCCC 9-Sep Direct Mail $20,632.09
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Total: $479,153.62
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IL-11 DCCC 16-Oct Direct Mail $21,093.28
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IL-11 DCCC 14-Oct Media Buy $46,856.10
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IL-11 EMILY 14-Oct Phones $1,659.60
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IL-11 DCCC 10-Oct Direct Mail $21,182.58
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IL-11 DCCC 10-Oct Media Prod. $10,079.90
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IL-11 DCCC 8-Oct Web Media $35,496.00
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IL-11 DCCC 7-Oct Media Buy $40,952.62
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IL-11 DCCC 1-Oct Direct Mail $35,660.54
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IL-11 EMILY 30-Sep Direct Mail $46,011.80
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IL-11 DCCC 30-Sep Media Buy $40,952.62
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IL-11 EMILY 27-Sep Phones $2,365.26
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IL-11 EMILY 25-Sep Direct Mail $20,190.00
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IL-11 DCCC 23-Sep Direct Mail $20,427.02
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IL-11 DCCC 23-Sep Media Buy $40,952.62
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IL-11 EMILY 22-Sep Phones $1,694.04
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IL-11 DCCC 19-Sep Media Prod. $3,143.23
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IL-11 EMILY 18-Sep Direct Mail $45,951.80
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IL-11 EMILY 16-Sep Direct Mail $45,971.80
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IL-11 DCCC 16-Sep Media Buy $40,952.62
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IL-11 DCCC 11-Sep Media Prod. $11,678.10
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IL-11 DCCC 9-Sep Direct Mail $20,441.74
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IL-11 DCCC 9-Sep Media Buy $40,952.62
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IL-11 DCCC 5-Sep Direct Mail $16,194.97
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IL-11 DCCC 2-Sep Media Buy $40,952.62
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IL-11 DCCC 2-Sep Direct Mail $8,609.33
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IL-11 DCCC 29-Aug Direct Mail $15,967.80
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IL-11 DCCC 27-Aug Phones $1,756.10
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IL-11 DCCC 26-Aug Media Buy $40,952.62
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IL-11 DCCC 25-Aug Direct Mail $15,967.80
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IL-11 DCCC 22-Aug Media Prod. $9,087.81
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IL-11 DCCC 22-Aug Direct Mail $15,967.80
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IL-11 DCCC 20-Aug Phones $1,330.05
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IL-11 DCCC 19-Aug Direct Mail $15,967.80
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IL-11 DCCC 19-Aug Media Buy $39,288.28
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IL-11 DCCC 13-Aug Phones $2,142.36
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IL-11 DCCC 12-Aug Media Buy $39,288.28
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IL-11 DCCC 5-Aug Media Buy $39,288.28
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IL-11 DCCC 5-Aug Media Prod. $6,917.74
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Total: $1,028,475.34
Key to democracy is missing
(This original letter to the editor of the Wilmette Life was edited and printed in the Wilmette Life on July 17, 2008. It has been slightly re-edited.)
One key to democracy -- and thanks to the internet, one of the most important keys -- continues to dangle firmly out of reach in Congressman Mark Kirk’s 10th District. That’s the notion of giving public notice of District 10’s town meetings on our tax-paid website (www.house.gov/kirk), a resource Congressionally mandated for district use.
Instead, the site has become a velvet glove that fits, web-tight, Mr. Kirk’s concept of “public relations.” Mr. Kirk’s photo and name proliferate alongside Kirk-friendly headlines on veterans, Medicare, gas prices, family planning, the emerald ash borer, even a “Kid’s Page.”
But a probe into the website’s slickness reveals a chilling lapse. Under “town,” “town meeting,” “town hall meeting,” “village,” or “village meeting,” the search engine routinely reports no public notices for upcoming town meetings in any town, on any issue, for any date, throughout District 10.
Mr. Kirk's batting average, 0 for 100, is no accident. Instead, town meetings are publicized with low-profile announce-ments in the local paper. For example, the only apparent public notice for Palatine’s February 21, 2008 town meeting was an 88-word announcement in that day’s Daily Herald, bottom of page 3.
Mr. Kirk also delivers automated calls, postcards, and
e-newsletters to controlled lists of District 10 citizens. These do not conform to public notices of town meetings. Nor does Mr. Kirk divulge voter lists of citizens who are notified or the method by which names are selected. (Call Mr. Kirk’s deputy communications director to receive a well-rehearsed “no comment.”)
In a democracy increasingly reliant on the internet, how can we express ourselves to Congressman Mark Kirk if District 10’s website is kept clear of public meeting notices?
Mr. Kirk alone holds that key.
Paul Wolf
Wilmette, IL
Mr. Wolf, this is America and you have a right to your opinion. You are wrong on many levels. Mr. Kirk has held many Town Hall meetings this cycle. I will admit that in the 2006 cycle he wasn't quite as willing to do so. That said, he was known as 'king' of the townhall meetings from the time he became our Representative on Jan. 3, 2001. There is ample proof of all the meetings he held. New technologies now allow him to do TeleTown Hall meetings where hundreds of people can participate and DO. Those are not controlled as you imply. Yes, areas are called. Every single area of this district has had TeleTown Hall calls with more planned. I attended many of his in-person Town Hall meetings. I was upset that some who have only one agenda came, disrupted the meetings, wouldn't allow others to speak. What value is that? As I said, you are entitled to your opinions. This Blog has given you yet another forum to give your views. Have you ever called and asked for a meeting with Mr. Kirk? Don't tell me that you were denied such a meeting. I know better. You don't like him and that's your right. But don't spread your totally wrong statements. If you ever sat down with your Congressman, if you ever took the time to research all that he has done for this district perhaps you'd come away with a totally different view. Judging from your post I won't hold my breath. I am hoping that after the election you take the time to have a personal meeting with him. Or perhaps you don't want to be confronted with the truth about who and what this great guy represents.
This out of touch bufoonishness has really got to die a misreble death and will in 2 weeks when Mark drubs Dan. Nutroot Democrat activists can start hootin and hollerin about Mark's lack of district involvement when either they start bringing in candidates who aren't foreign lobbyists-hey Jay Footlik, or aren't from foreign districts-Dan Seals (D-People's Republic of Evanston).
Now that it looks like Obama is going to stuff his cabinet with women groping ex-clinonites like bill richardson, genocide tolerating albright proteges like susan rice, and loser lobbyists like Tom Daschle ,Mark should have a better political climate to run in next time.
Paul Wolf attended one of Kirk's Town Hall meetings earlier this year in Palatine and handed out a flyer against the Congressman.
He's a pawn of Jan, Lauren Beth Trash, Ellen and the pup who should disappear into the woodwork. What idiot.
BTW, I like the tele townhalls. I can listen to Mark, and do other things and not spend money on gas to go out.
District 10's non-debate on Iraq
(This original letter to the editor was edited and printed in the Wilmette Life on May 8, 2008. It has been slightly re-edited.)
In April, 2008, General David Petraeus testified before Congress on Iraq. It’s a good time to ask: has anybody examined Congressman Mark Kirk’s e-mails and newsletters since the general’s last appearance in September, 2007? If so, you’ve captured Mr. Kirk’s stance. What does the public record reveal?
Most noticeable is what’s missing. We, the public. Aside from a June, 2007 mail-in survey (four questions), we’ve registered hardly a murmur.
Search District 10’s website. Ask neighbors, town librarian, village trustees: did Mr. Kirk during June, July, August 2007, running up to September’s decision-making time on the surge, arrange a single pre-announced opportunity to debate by town, township or district, the Iraq war as a priority? (This refers to all venues under Mr. Kirk’s control, not to the large anti-Iraq war rally held at Northbrook’s Renaissance Hotel, addressed by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and Iraq veterans, and absent Mr. Kirk, August 28, 2007).
Despite apparent unwillingness to schedule any debate, Mr. Kirk sent constituents a Congressional e-mail dated September 20, following (not preceding) Petraeus’s September 10-11 appearance. Mr. Kirk claimed he had made a “bipartisan effort to open a constructive, non-political dialogue on Iraq." Held September 10 (one day before spin-sensitive 9/11), location, undisclosed.
The Chicago Tribune reported the host: Chicago Council on Global Affairs. The event took place at The Chicago Club, in Chicago. The Council’s website ("Programs: Past programs: 9/10/07") states: “This complimentary event is exclusively for invited guests.”
Nevertheless, Mr. Kirk's e-mail: “I was grateful for the opportunity to lead this roundtable discussion about the most important issue before the nation.”
Anyone remember Mr. Kirk’s “roundtable discussion” on Iraq? Were we invited? Did Mr. Kirk grant any such debate to District 10? Before, not after, Petraeus's appearance?
All we got was an e-mail, after the fact, informing us of a dialogue in which we never took part.
Paul Wolf
Wilmette, IL
Hey Mr. Wolf- I see you work at Northwestern. Did you perhaps have anything to do with getting Dan Seals hired as a night-school teacher despite his lack of credentials? I've been dying to figure out what insider got him that job. Are you the missing link?
What it means to be invisible
(This original letter to the editor was printed in the Wilmette Life on April 3, 2008. It has been slightly re-edited.)
Got an appointment with Congressman Mark Kirk’s staff? As I discovered, the journey can be a pain without a car. The public has access to the barest minimum of public transportation to Mark Kirk’s office at 707 Skokie Boulevard.
Located among Northbrook’s corporate structures, in a district where rail service forms the all-important spine, the office’s nearest three stations are Northbrook, 2 miles away, Braeside, 1.5 miles, and Ravinia Park, 1.5 miles. A single bus route, Pace 626, runs on Skokie Boulevard during restricted hours. Northbound is limited to 5:40 a.m. to 9:25 a.m.; southbound to 2:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Neither north or southbound routes pick up passengers at any of the three train stations.
To confirm this, I called Mark Kirk’s office. An assistant, inquiring internally, could not find any staff member who knew the hours of public transportation by train, bus, or any combination, to Mr. Kirk’s office. She advised to check the Pace website.
When I arrived (by borrowed car) for my appointment, I found no public sidewalk leads to the building where Mark Kirk represents us. Mr. Kirk, eschewing numerous friendly village centers that populate the North Shore, has located his office in a steel and glass tower in a corporate parking lot. This tower borders, along with six other corporate islands, a major highway. The lot is surrounded by a spaghetti bowl of 6- lane, 5-lane, 4-lane, and 2- lane highways on four sides.
Facing the highway sits a large corporate sign. Absent on its impressive sides are both “District 10” and “Congressman Mark Kirk.” Non-existent is any nearby town infrastructure such as restaurants or coffee shops which might draw the inquiring citizen. Getting a Congressman’s attention can be problematic in the 10th District. It’s more difficult if its headquarters is invisible.
Paul Wolf
Wilmette, IL
Hey Paul Wolf- does the university know you're using university computers during business hours in your position as a librarian to further your personal political goals? Does Dan Seals support you in this? He has obviously had no problem in the past using NU to further his own political ends.
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