The Daily Herald is reporting that Congressman Joe Walsh may stick with running in the redesigned 8th District (assuming the new map survives its court challenge), with the intent to face off against the winner of the fierce battle on the Dem side between Tammy Duckworth and Raja Krishnamoorthi. This would allow the GOP to avoid a costly primary in the 14th District between Walsh and incumbent Randy Hultgren.
Cal Skinner over at the McHenry County Blog (most of which is in the new 14th District) provides this analysis:
A Walsh candidacy....would make the Beltway Republicans, who are pleased with Hultgren’s performance, happy two times over:
Hultgren would be assured of re-election and
Walsh might just be able to get re-elected as well, thereby thwarting the goals of the state and national Democratic Party to eliminate one of the suburban Chicago 2010 GOP freshmen.
And, might I add, should Walsh dispatch another Democratic Party favorite, say, Tammy Duckworth, he would be poised to run for the U.S. Senate against Democrat incumbent Dick Durbin in 2014.
I think Walsh might have a chance in the 8th, but at the very least, it will cause the Dems to turn somersaults and spend money there to gain a victory for their nominee, whereas they probably figured their eventual nominee would have been a shoo-in against a no-name Republican.
UPDATED 9;40 pm: Here's an updated article from the DH. It seems that Walsh is still officially mum, but an announcement could come very soon.
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4 comments:
The other viewpoint is, of course, that Walsh is just so very toxic that the NRCC doesn't want him damaging any sitting GOP congressmen. Compared to Raja or Tammy, Walsh looks like a puppy. A mean, out of control puppy; desperately in need of a rolled up newspaper. His running in the 8th doesn't make it a more expensive race, nor does the Dem primary look to offer him any ammo. That race is already a love-in. Tammy will win because she owns the vets and the female vote. In the general, she'll stomp Walsh with her titanium feet.
In regards to the previous post, does that mean it's better for him to run in the 8th versus running in traffic? Sorry couldn't resist.
I seem to recall Tammy having difficulty in getting various veterans groups to back her based on some statements she made while running against Roskam.
I have seen it in person. Joe Walsh is a great campaigner with infectious energy and enthusiasm. No one expected him to win the 8th the last time around, even with various personal problems surfacing during that campaign.
The real question is can Joe Walsh catch lightning in a bottle twice in a row? Some politicians do lead a charmed life.
Louis G. Atsaves
King Louis is spot on once again. It's hard to think of the last time we had a candidate with Walsh's energy, grass roots momentum and willingness to take on the Democrats. He has his issues and I have some problems with some of his stuff, but I am really pleased with his first term. I could care less what the establishment or the NRCC thinks of him. He ran an unbelievable campaign last time and I think he can do this one. I also enjoy hearing a good old fashioned northwest suburban Illinois accent on tv. A little better than a hyde park one.
Just make his coffee decaf.
FOKLAES
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