Even the Huffington Post can't quite figure this out - Alexi Giannoulias, the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, is pledging to found a 'progressive' (a/k/a ultra-liberal) caucus in the U.S. Senate because, well, folks like those darn Blue Dog Democrats in the House are just too conservative:
The Illinois Democrat's campaign told the Huffington Post that the objective is to provide a philosophical counterweight to the sway that conservative Democratic members often have over legislation.
"Think of this proposal as a sort of 'Blue Line' caucus for the Senate -- a group of progressive leaders who will hold the line and set a minimum threshold of what we think should be at the bargaining table," Giannoulias said in a statement.
As you might expect, the uber-liberal DailyKos blog is in full support of Alexi's strategy.
Is Alexi grossly overestimating just how deep his liberal base in Illinois really is? Democrats in general are running for the hills from the failed Obama policies (especially regarding job creation), and it seems like Alexi is doubling down on a party that looks to be headed for disaster at the polling places this fall.
As we have said before, this race will be won in the middle, not at the poles.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Dan Seals Follows Alexi Giannoulias In Bailing Out on Israel Forum
Looks like 10th Congressional Candidate Dan Seals is too chicken to show up to a non-partisan forum on Israel issues without mob banker Alexi Giannoulias there to offer him 'protection':
Jewish Telegraph Reports on the Giannoulias and Seals Withdrawal From Israel Forum
Illinois Senate hopeful pulls out of Israel forum
August 13, 2010
WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The Illinois Democratic Party's candidate for the U.S. Senate withdrew from a forum on Israel.
Alexi Giannoulias, the state treasurer, withdrew Monday from the Aug. 22 forum, sponsored by the Protect Our Heritage public action committee and 16 other Jewish organizations. His campaign said he had prior commitments.
The nonpartisan forum is held for Senate and House candidates. Participants can question the candidates on issues related to the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Giannoulias, his Republican opponent, Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), and other local politicians had agreed to participate in the forum months ago. Giannoulias' campaign had confirmed his availability for the forum in Northbrook, Ill., according to Protect Our Heritage.
"As Iran continues its pursuit of nuclear weapons and terrorists threaten Israel from Gaza and Lebanon, our next U.S. Senator should not be afraid to stand up for our strongest democratic ally in the Middle East," Kirk said in a statement.
Giannoulias did not respond to two phone calls from JTA seeking comment.
The day after Giannoulias withdrew, Dan Seals, a Democratic candidate for Illinois house seat, also declined to participate in the forum.
Despite repeated assurances that House candidates would at no times share the stage with Senate candidates, according to To Protect Our Heritage Seals' campagin said "Alexi Giannoulias' decision not to attend the forum creates an event that...is inherently weighted in favor of the Republican candidates."
Seals also did not respond to JTA's request for comment.
Protect Our Heritage is a Midwestern political action committee that promotes a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.
###
Mark Kirk's Senate campaign applauded the decision of the forum organizers to go ahead, with or without the lame-O Dems.
The Bob Dold Campaign had this to say:
Dold: 10th District Deserves Candidates Serious on Israel
Dold Remains in Israel Policy Candidates’ Forum after Seals follows Giannoulias in Backing Out
Winnetka - Today, 10th District Congressional candidate Robert Dold expressed disappointment that his opponent Dan Seals followed Alexi Giannoulias’ lead in backing out of next week’s Israel policy candidates’ forum. Dold urged Seals to reconsider and participate in the forum so that the voters can hear the Democrat’s views on Israel and the Middle East.
The non-partisan forum, scheduled to feature U.S. Senate candidates Mark Kirk and Alexi Giannoulias, and Congressional candidates Robert Dold and Dan Seals, has been heavily promoted for months within the pro-Israel community. Alexi Giannoulias officially withdrew on August 9th, prompting Dan Seals to pull out on August 10th.
“Given the increasing threats posed by Iran’s nuclear-weapons program, Hezbollah’s build-up in Lebanon, and Hamas’ rockets in Gaza, these are extraordinarily critical times in the U.S.-Israel relationship that require candidates committed to leadership on Israel,” said Dold. “I call on Dan Seals to participate in this candidates’ forum, rather than hide his views on Israel and this Administration’s policies in the Middle East. You can't be a leader if you don't show up."
The candidates’ forum is hosted by To Protect Our Heritage, a bipartisan group that promotes a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, and sixteen other Jewish organizations. This forum was similarly held in 2000, during which both 10th District Congressional candidates at the time, Mark Kirk and Lauren Beth Gash, participated.
“The 10th District is home to one of the largest and most passionate pro-Israel communities in America and deserves candidates who recognize the special responsibility that comes with representing this District,” continued Dold. “More must be done than simply voting for pro-Israel measures; I am committed to being a pro-Israel champion in Congress who will use my voice to advocate for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.”
###
Sheesh. Even Lauren Beth Gash showed up to this event, and Seals can't?
Jewish Telegraph Reports on the Giannoulias and Seals Withdrawal From Israel Forum
Illinois Senate hopeful pulls out of Israel forum
August 13, 2010
WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The Illinois Democratic Party's candidate for the U.S. Senate withdrew from a forum on Israel.
Alexi Giannoulias, the state treasurer, withdrew Monday from the Aug. 22 forum, sponsored by the Protect Our Heritage public action committee and 16 other Jewish organizations. His campaign said he had prior commitments.
The nonpartisan forum is held for Senate and House candidates. Participants can question the candidates on issues related to the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Giannoulias, his Republican opponent, Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), and other local politicians had agreed to participate in the forum months ago. Giannoulias' campaign had confirmed his availability for the forum in Northbrook, Ill., according to Protect Our Heritage.
"As Iran continues its pursuit of nuclear weapons and terrorists threaten Israel from Gaza and Lebanon, our next U.S. Senator should not be afraid to stand up for our strongest democratic ally in the Middle East," Kirk said in a statement.
Giannoulias did not respond to two phone calls from JTA seeking comment.
The day after Giannoulias withdrew, Dan Seals, a Democratic candidate for Illinois house seat, also declined to participate in the forum.
Despite repeated assurances that House candidates would at no times share the stage with Senate candidates, according to To Protect Our Heritage Seals' campagin said "Alexi Giannoulias' decision not to attend the forum creates an event that...is inherently weighted in favor of the Republican candidates."
Seals also did not respond to JTA's request for comment.
Protect Our Heritage is a Midwestern political action committee that promotes a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.
###
Mark Kirk's Senate campaign applauded the decision of the forum organizers to go ahead, with or without the lame-O Dems.
The Bob Dold Campaign had this to say:
Dold: 10th District Deserves Candidates Serious on Israel
Dold Remains in Israel Policy Candidates’ Forum after Seals follows Giannoulias in Backing Out
Winnetka - Today, 10th District Congressional candidate Robert Dold expressed disappointment that his opponent Dan Seals followed Alexi Giannoulias’ lead in backing out of next week’s Israel policy candidates’ forum. Dold urged Seals to reconsider and participate in the forum so that the voters can hear the Democrat’s views on Israel and the Middle East.
The non-partisan forum, scheduled to feature U.S. Senate candidates Mark Kirk and Alexi Giannoulias, and Congressional candidates Robert Dold and Dan Seals, has been heavily promoted for months within the pro-Israel community. Alexi Giannoulias officially withdrew on August 9th, prompting Dan Seals to pull out on August 10th.
“Given the increasing threats posed by Iran’s nuclear-weapons program, Hezbollah’s build-up in Lebanon, and Hamas’ rockets in Gaza, these are extraordinarily critical times in the U.S.-Israel relationship that require candidates committed to leadership on Israel,” said Dold. “I call on Dan Seals to participate in this candidates’ forum, rather than hide his views on Israel and this Administration’s policies in the Middle East. You can't be a leader if you don't show up."
The candidates’ forum is hosted by To Protect Our Heritage, a bipartisan group that promotes a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, and sixteen other Jewish organizations. This forum was similarly held in 2000, during which both 10th District Congressional candidates at the time, Mark Kirk and Lauren Beth Gash, participated.
“The 10th District is home to one of the largest and most passionate pro-Israel communities in America and deserves candidates who recognize the special responsibility that comes with representing this District,” continued Dold. “More must be done than simply voting for pro-Israel measures; I am committed to being a pro-Israel champion in Congress who will use my voice to advocate for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.”
###
Sheesh. Even Lauren Beth Gash showed up to this event, and Seals can't?
The Top Ten Reasons the Obama Presidency Is In Meltdown
I really can't say it any better than this article from the British Telegraph, so I won't even try. But I bet this Brit's viewpoint from the outside will reasonate with vast numbers of voters here in the U.S.
The Telegraph's Ten Reasons:
1. The Obama presidency is out of touch with the American people
2. Most Americans don’t have confidence in the president’s leadership
3. Obama fails to inspire
4. The United States is drowning in debt
5. Obama’s Big Government message is falling flat
6. Obama’s support for socialised health care is a huge political mistake
7. Obama’s handling of the Gulf oil spill has been weak-kneed and indecisive
8. US foreign policy is an embarrassing mess under the Obama administration
9. President Obama is muddled and confused on national security
10. Obama doesn’t believe in American greatness
You really need to read the exposition on these reasons. It's dead-on.
The Telegraph's Ten Reasons:
1. The Obama presidency is out of touch with the American people
2. Most Americans don’t have confidence in the president’s leadership
3. Obama fails to inspire
4. The United States is drowning in debt
5. Obama’s Big Government message is falling flat
6. Obama’s support for socialised health care is a huge political mistake
7. Obama’s handling of the Gulf oil spill has been weak-kneed and indecisive
8. US foreign policy is an embarrassing mess under the Obama administration
9. President Obama is muddled and confused on national security
10. Obama doesn’t believe in American greatness
You really need to read the exposition on these reasons. It's dead-on.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Bob Dold Goes Up On Cable With "Back to Work" Ad
Bob Dold, GOP nominee for the 10th Congressional District, is following-up his series of get-to-know-ya radio ads with a cable TV ad, "Back to Work":
Read the Daily Herald's review here.
Read the Daily Herald's review here.
Kirk Campaign Releases New Web Video: “Knew Then”
From the Kirk for Senate Campaign:
Kirk Campaign Releases New Web Video: “Knew Then”
Alexi Giannoulias: “If I knew now, what I knew then, we probably wouldn’t have approved those loans.” – Fox Illinois, 2/8/10
Northbrook, Ill.– The Kirk for Senate campaign today released a new web video highlighting Alexi Giannoulias’ tired excuses with regard to Broadway Bank loans to convicted felons and mobsters.
“Knew Then” plays off a Giannoulias statement from earlier this year in which he said, “If I knew now, what I knew then, we probably wouldn’t have approved those loans.”
Last week, the Chicago Sun-Times revealed Broadway Bank loaned nearly $23 million to Tony Rezko and Nadhmi Auchi in 2006 when Alexi Giannoulias claimed to be vice president and senior loan officer. Giannoulias now claims he left the bank months before even though he told the Windy City Times in March 2006, “I’m senior loan officer and vice president, so I oversee a $600 million loan department.”
“Illinois voters are tired of Alexi Giannoulias’ excuses about loans he made to mobsters, thugs and criminals,” Kirk spokesperson Kirsten Kukowski said. “Alexi Giannoulias misled the voters to get elected State Treasurer and continues to mislead voters as he runs for the U.S. Senate. After Rod Blagojevich and Tony Rezko, we won’t be fooled again.”
“Knew Then” Full Script:
Text: Alexi Giannoulias…On Broadway Bank’s Loans to Convicted Felons…
Video: Fox Illinois, 2/8/10: “If I knew now, what I knew then, we probably wouldn’t have approved those loans.”
Text: Alexi Giannoulias Made Tens of Millions in Loans to Mobsters and Convicted Felons.
Graphic: ChicagoTribune Front Page from 4/2/10
Text: Now We Learn There Are More Suspicious Broadway Bank Loans AlexiDidn’t Mention.
Video: WFLD, 8/2/10: “While under federal investigation, political fixer Tony Rezko was able to get a loan for more than 20 million dollars.
“That money came from Broadway Bank, which was owned by the family of Senate candidate, Alexi Giannoulias, and was shut down by the federal government.”
Graphic: ChicagoSun-Times from 8/2/10 p.4
Video: WICD, 8/2/10: “According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Broadway Bank loaned almost 23 million dollars to a real estate company back in 2006.
“One of the company’s owners at the time was convicted political fundraiser, Tony Rezko, who at the time was tied up in a corruption probe.”
Video: Fox News Channel, 8/3/10:“Illinois Democratic Senate candidate, Alexi Giannoulias, is facing more questions about his family’s failed Chicago bank.
“The Chicago Sun-Times reports that newly uncovered records show Broadway Bank loaned almost 23 million dollars to a development company, partially owned by developer Tony Rezko.”
Text: So, What Did Alexi Know?
Video: Fox Illinois, 2/8/10: “If I knew now, what I knew then, we probably wouldn’t have approved those loans.”
Text: Probably?
Video: CLTV, 8/2/10: “New records reveal Giannoulias’ family-owned bank lent businessman Tony Rezko nearly 23 million dollars, for a massive South Hoop development back in 2006.”
Video: WLS, 8/2/10: “The deal was made in February of 2006, at least 4 months after Alexi Giannoulias says he quit his job as Chief Loan Officer to run for Illinois State Treasurer.”
Video: Fox News Channel, 8/3/10: “However, in an article published in the Windy City Times in March of 2006, Giannoulias touted his bank experience using the present tense saying, ‘I’m senior loan officer and vice president, so I oversee a $600 million loan department.’”
Text: Alexi Has Repeatedly Said That He Worked at Broadway Bank in 2006. (Sources: “That’s exactly what I do at the bank.” - Chicago Tribune 3/16/06; “I’m senior loan officer and vice president, so I oversee a $600 million loan department.” - Windy City Times 3/15/06)
Text: He Even Took $41,000 in Salary in 2006… (Source: Chicago Tribune, 11/23/09)
Video: WLS, 8/2/10: “Still, Republicans accuse the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate of hiding information about the deal between the Giannoulias family-owned bank and the convicted political schemer, Tony Rezko.”
Video: WLS, 8/2/10: “It’s the inconsistencies, the failure to fully disclose that raise a lot of questions.”
Video: WLS, 8/2/10: “DuPageCounty’s state attorney, Joe Birkett, does not buy Giannoulias’ claim he was unaware of the deal.”
Video: WLS, 8/2/10: “It doesn’t happen without consulting with family members especially when you know that Tony Rezko is political kryptonite.”
Text: But Republicans Aren’t the ONLY Ones Who Have Problems with Alexi…
Video: WLS, 8/5/10: “A new problem cropped up during an ABC 7 interview with Southside Democratic Congressman Bobby Rush.
“Are you sold on Alexi…?
“I’m not. Right now, I’ve got to sit down and talk with him. I’m not sold on him. I mean, I don’t want just the same old stuff…
“We want a Senator who is willing to work hard on the real issues that this state is confronted with.”
Video: Fox Illinois, 2/8/10: “If I knew now, what I knew then, we probably wouldn’t have approved those loans.”
Text: Alexi Giannoulias…“If I knew now…what I knew then…”?
Text: Learn more at: RealTruthAboutAlexi.com
Kirk Campaign Releases New Web Video: “Knew Then”
Alexi Giannoulias: “If I knew now, what I knew then, we probably wouldn’t have approved those loans.” – Fox Illinois, 2/8/10
Northbrook, Ill.– The Kirk for Senate campaign today released a new web video highlighting Alexi Giannoulias’ tired excuses with regard to Broadway Bank loans to convicted felons and mobsters.
“Knew Then” plays off a Giannoulias statement from earlier this year in which he said, “If I knew now, what I knew then, we probably wouldn’t have approved those loans.”
Last week, the Chicago Sun-Times revealed Broadway Bank loaned nearly $23 million to Tony Rezko and Nadhmi Auchi in 2006 when Alexi Giannoulias claimed to be vice president and senior loan officer. Giannoulias now claims he left the bank months before even though he told the Windy City Times in March 2006, “I’m senior loan officer and vice president, so I oversee a $600 million loan department.”
“Illinois voters are tired of Alexi Giannoulias’ excuses about loans he made to mobsters, thugs and criminals,” Kirk spokesperson Kirsten Kukowski said. “Alexi Giannoulias misled the voters to get elected State Treasurer and continues to mislead voters as he runs for the U.S. Senate. After Rod Blagojevich and Tony Rezko, we won’t be fooled again.”
“Knew Then” Full Script:
Text: Alexi Giannoulias…On Broadway Bank’s Loans to Convicted Felons…
Video: Fox Illinois, 2/8/10: “If I knew now, what I knew then, we probably wouldn’t have approved those loans.”
Text: Alexi Giannoulias Made Tens of Millions in Loans to Mobsters and Convicted Felons.
Graphic: ChicagoTribune Front Page from 4/2/10
Text: Now We Learn There Are More Suspicious Broadway Bank Loans AlexiDidn’t Mention.
Video: WFLD, 8/2/10: “While under federal investigation, political fixer Tony Rezko was able to get a loan for more than 20 million dollars.
“That money came from Broadway Bank, which was owned by the family of Senate candidate, Alexi Giannoulias, and was shut down by the federal government.”
Graphic: ChicagoSun-Times from 8/2/10 p.4
Video: WICD, 8/2/10: “According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Broadway Bank loaned almost 23 million dollars to a real estate company back in 2006.
“One of the company’s owners at the time was convicted political fundraiser, Tony Rezko, who at the time was tied up in a corruption probe.”
Video: Fox News Channel, 8/3/10:“Illinois Democratic Senate candidate, Alexi Giannoulias, is facing more questions about his family’s failed Chicago bank.
“The Chicago Sun-Times reports that newly uncovered records show Broadway Bank loaned almost 23 million dollars to a development company, partially owned by developer Tony Rezko.”
Text: So, What Did Alexi Know?
Video: Fox Illinois, 2/8/10: “If I knew now, what I knew then, we probably wouldn’t have approved those loans.”
Text: Probably?
Video: CLTV, 8/2/10: “New records reveal Giannoulias’ family-owned bank lent businessman Tony Rezko nearly 23 million dollars, for a massive South Hoop development back in 2006.”
Video: WLS, 8/2/10: “The deal was made in February of 2006, at least 4 months after Alexi Giannoulias says he quit his job as Chief Loan Officer to run for Illinois State Treasurer.”
Video: Fox News Channel, 8/3/10: “However, in an article published in the Windy City Times in March of 2006, Giannoulias touted his bank experience using the present tense saying, ‘I’m senior loan officer and vice president, so I oversee a $600 million loan department.’”
Text: Alexi Has Repeatedly Said That He Worked at Broadway Bank in 2006. (Sources: “That’s exactly what I do at the bank.” - Chicago Tribune 3/16/06; “I’m senior loan officer and vice president, so I oversee a $600 million loan department.” - Windy City Times 3/15/06)
Text: He Even Took $41,000 in Salary in 2006… (Source: Chicago Tribune, 11/23/09)
Video: WLS, 8/2/10: “Still, Republicans accuse the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate of hiding information about the deal between the Giannoulias family-owned bank and the convicted political schemer, Tony Rezko.”
Video: WLS, 8/2/10: “It’s the inconsistencies, the failure to fully disclose that raise a lot of questions.”
Video: WLS, 8/2/10: “DuPageCounty’s state attorney, Joe Birkett, does not buy Giannoulias’ claim he was unaware of the deal.”
Video: WLS, 8/2/10: “It doesn’t happen without consulting with family members especially when you know that Tony Rezko is political kryptonite.”
Text: But Republicans Aren’t the ONLY Ones Who Have Problems with Alexi…
Video: WLS, 8/5/10: “A new problem cropped up during an ABC 7 interview with Southside Democratic Congressman Bobby Rush.
“Are you sold on Alexi…?
“I’m not. Right now, I’ve got to sit down and talk with him. I’m not sold on him. I mean, I don’t want just the same old stuff…
“We want a Senator who is willing to work hard on the real issues that this state is confronted with.”
Video: Fox Illinois, 2/8/10: “If I knew now, what I knew then, we probably wouldn’t have approved those loans.”
Text: Alexi Giannoulias…“If I knew now…what I knew then…”?
Text: Learn more at: RealTruthAboutAlexi.com
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Mark Kirk Stakes Out Middle Ground in IL's U.S. Senate Race (UPDATED)
UPDATE: KIRK DOESN'T VOTE FOR BAILOUT BILL AFTER ALL:
From Congressman Kirk:
“Illinois is suffering the consequences of our state’s failed leadership. These failures put the federal government in a difficult situation. When I returned to Washington for this special session, I read Leader Reid’s bill and found it spent more, taxed more and borrowed more than any of the past bills I supported. I did not support the Reid bill because it added $16 billion in new Medicaid spending and levied another $9 billion in new, permanent tax increases. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the bill adds over $12 billion to our deficit. As a fiscal conservative, I could not support this bill and will work to cut spending, taxing and borrowing in this and future Congresses."
Lynn Sweet has this. NBC-5's Ward Room Blog here.
Alexi's response here. He says (as usual) that Kirk lies, and the bill is completely paid for. Given the choice between Alexi and the CBO, I'll take the CBO.
[end of update]
Throughout Mark Kirk's five terms as a member of Congress, he has always been known as a moderate Republican, and for good reason. It's easy to get lost, though, in some of the campaign rhetoric that flies around during election cycles, however. It's been a couple months now since the February primary, but we all probably remember how his more conservative opponents blasted him for being too liberal, a "RINO" (Republican In Name Only) and plenty of other pejorative labels. From the other side, we hear accusations that Kirk is a die-hard conservative who will undo liberal "accomplishments" like ObamaCare, and paint electing Kirk as the closest thing available to putting George W. Bush back in the White House.
With these two extreme views, you would think the looney left and the cranky right were talking about two entirely different people. More nuanced people may start to get the impression that Kirk is a fairly centrist individual. That perception is going to matter a lot in November here in Illinois, where many people are disgusted with the hyper-partisanship and rhetoric of both parties.
Let's look at Kirk's positions as discussed in the press in just the past few weeks:
On one hand, he said he would support (now Justice) Elena Kagan for the U.S. Supreme Court. On the other hand, Kirk says he agrees with the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision shooting down Chicago handgun ownership ban.
On one hand, Kirk supports President Obama for making some good choices in the war in Afghanistan, but blasts him on his Iran policy.
Kirk supports the $26 billion state bailout bill that is being debated today in the House, but says that any such legislation has to be deficit-neutral.
Kirk's enemies on both extremes can find plenty to criticize him on, but in the general election, it's going to be the middle that wins this. Conversely, I think it's pretty clear that Alexi Giannoulias is simply going to take day-to-day orders from Dick Durbin and be a spineless rubber stamp for President Obama. Let's see who the majority of voters in Illinois prefer this fall.
From Congressman Kirk:
“Illinois is suffering the consequences of our state’s failed leadership. These failures put the federal government in a difficult situation. When I returned to Washington for this special session, I read Leader Reid’s bill and found it spent more, taxed more and borrowed more than any of the past bills I supported. I did not support the Reid bill because it added $16 billion in new Medicaid spending and levied another $9 billion in new, permanent tax increases. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the bill adds over $12 billion to our deficit. As a fiscal conservative, I could not support this bill and will work to cut spending, taxing and borrowing in this and future Congresses."
Lynn Sweet has this. NBC-5's Ward Room Blog here.
Alexi's response here. He says (as usual) that Kirk lies, and the bill is completely paid for. Given the choice between Alexi and the CBO, I'll take the CBO.
[end of update]
Throughout Mark Kirk's five terms as a member of Congress, he has always been known as a moderate Republican, and for good reason. It's easy to get lost, though, in some of the campaign rhetoric that flies around during election cycles, however. It's been a couple months now since the February primary, but we all probably remember how his more conservative opponents blasted him for being too liberal, a "RINO" (Republican In Name Only) and plenty of other pejorative labels. From the other side, we hear accusations that Kirk is a die-hard conservative who will undo liberal "accomplishments" like ObamaCare, and paint electing Kirk as the closest thing available to putting George W. Bush back in the White House.
With these two extreme views, you would think the looney left and the cranky right were talking about two entirely different people. More nuanced people may start to get the impression that Kirk is a fairly centrist individual. That perception is going to matter a lot in November here in Illinois, where many people are disgusted with the hyper-partisanship and rhetoric of both parties.
Let's look at Kirk's positions as discussed in the press in just the past few weeks:
On one hand, he said he would support (now Justice) Elena Kagan for the U.S. Supreme Court. On the other hand, Kirk says he agrees with the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision shooting down Chicago handgun ownership ban.
On one hand, Kirk supports President Obama for making some good choices in the war in Afghanistan, but blasts him on his Iran policy.
Kirk supports the $26 billion state bailout bill that is being debated today in the House, but says that any such legislation has to be deficit-neutral.
Kirk's enemies on both extremes can find plenty to criticize him on, but in the general election, it's going to be the middle that wins this. Conversely, I think it's pretty clear that Alexi Giannoulias is simply going to take day-to-day orders from Dick Durbin and be a spineless rubber stamp for President Obama. Let's see who the majority of voters in Illinois prefer this fall.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Residency Issues Continue to Dog Dan Seals in IL-10
For a while, I thought maybe most people had forgotten about the fact that Dan Seals, the (now) third time Democratic nominee for Illinois' 10th Congressional District, isn't a resident of the District, and can't even vote for himself. We've talked about that so many times over the past four years or so that even I decided we couldn't beat that drum anymore.But it appears that others either have not forgotten, or are just discovering this for the first time. Check out the Chicago Daily Observer, which is hosting quite a heated debate on the issue.
For our part here at Team America, it all comes down to something pretty simple. Do you want to win an election, Dan, or not? We said years ago that simply moving into the District would take away an issue (no matter how silly an issue it may seem to you and your sycophants), so why in the world would you not do that? Things against Congressman Mark Kirk might have turned out a little differently for Dan, not to mention that he defeated a serious primary opponent, Julie Hamos, only by the skin of his teeth, earlier this year.
Instead, you are forced to endure the constant refrain of 'He can't even vote for himself' and you are forced to skate around the issue, with tortured statements on your website like:
The 10th District is Dan’s community. Dan and his wife Mia, a business executive with an MBA from the University of Chicago, have been married for eleven years. They have lived in Wilmette for seven years with their three daughters. Our district is where his children go to school and where his tax dollars are put to work. Dan is part of each community in the 10th District.
Notice what's missing? Oh, yeah, a simple statement that Seals actually lives in the 10th District. If you had fixed that issue years ago, you wouldn't have to offer up convoluted excuses for why it shouldn't matter to voters.
Sometimes I have to wonder a little if Seals really wants to be a Congressman, or if he's really more comfortable just playing perennial candidate.
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