UPDATE: The three candidates are on Chicago Public Radio between 9 and 10 this morning. Listen here. (Hat tip: Austin Mayor.)
First, a profile of Tammy Duckworth in the Sun-Times.
Touring a Wheaton rehabilitation hospital, Democratic congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth ripped President Bush’s proposed federal budget, saying it doesn’t provide enough money for health care or medical research.
The wounded Iraqi war veteran, who lost both legs when her helicopter was shot down in 2004, said proposed budget cuts would make it more difficult for Chicago area residents to receive the intensive medical care and therapy provided at the Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital.
“There is a direct connection between care that people get here in Wheaton and the decisions made in Washington,'’ Duckworth said during a visit to the hospital with former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland, who lost both legs and an arm in the Vietnam War.
And a profile of candidate Lindy Scott in the Tribune.
If there’s a stereotype of a Democrat politician–or any politician, for that matter–Lindy Scott does not fill the bill.
The trim, bearded Wheaton College professor, who’s trying to succeed outgoing U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.) in a west suburban congressional district, is the former pastor of a Des Plaines evangelical church and an eight-time Chicago Marathon runner.
For 16 years he taught in Mexico City, where he founded the Evangelical Free Church of Mexico, and he now teaches Spanish and the history of church-state relations in Latin America. His wife is Brazilian and their three children have tri-citizenships: the United States, Brazil and Mexico.
Though white evangelical Christians typically vote Republican, Scott says his faith led him to the other side of the aisle. “I cherish life, and life should be cherished across the board,” Scott said, greeting students in the campus coffee shop with a friendly, “Hola!”
Scott has already done two mailers and has made himself a presence in the district. It’s possible that Christine Cegelis, who ran last time but has no money and a campaign in disarray, could come in third.
LIVE session coverage...
- Bill Baar - Friday, Feb 17, 06 @ 7:31 am:
Main stream liberals need to pay attention to this one. A Liberal person of Faith. A Liberal person of Service. And a mainstream liberal who may come in last. There is a message to them there.
- An FDR Republican - Friday, Feb 17, 06 @ 9:23 am:
If Lindy Scott were more representative of the Democratic party as a whole, I might actually be a Democrat.
The national party’s endorsement of Duckworth over Scott betrays its fundamental lack of seriousness regarding its sporadically-voiced goal of providing an appealing alternative for people of faith.
Still waiting…
- gecharacter - Sunday, Feb 19, 06 @ 12:04 am:
Mailers and money dont make a candidacy. Christine is a serious person, a Ms. Smith goes to Washington, if you will. Poor Tammy can hardly get out on the campaign trail in the primary nonetheless work vigorously against a mean-stream Delay clone like Roskam. Lindy is a nice man with sincere values who was forced into betraying the fundies he hoped to woo the other day on WBEZ. We need a women in the seat who will not back down from her clear moral high ground and that is not Duckworth or Scott. The clear candidate for IL 6th is Christine Cegelis and money has nothing to do with her eventual success…voters do and she is touching more than the other two put together. Mailers are part of the strategy but , at the end of the day, end up in the recycling bins of most people’s minds.
- Anon - Sunday, Feb 19, 06 @ 11:40 am:
So let’s see if I get your point here Rich:
A candidate like Lindy who has no organization, no manager, no volunteer coordinator, but has done two mailings( I only received one) is the candidate who has a presence in the district? Come on Rich, you’re spinning this one really hard.
A candidate like Duckworth, who has no following in the district and receives all her backing from outside the district - oops, sorry forgot those three canvassers and two donors - is the strongest because she can stuff my mailbox?
Cegelis is winning. She’s got the organization in place, and actually shows up in the district in places other than my mailbox. She dominated the debate on 848, she was the clear favorite at the Hannover candidate forum. Everyone in the local Democratic orgs knows her personally. That’s a real presence in the district.
Why else does Duckworth need another $100K in a week? She’s behind and in trouble and her campaign knows it. The only chance they have is to send a big old mailer a week, and carpet bomb the district with glossy lit. Durbin didn’t even show at the meet Sen. Durbin event!
Spending hundreds of thousands of dollars and resources on taking out a Democrat. If Cegelis is so weak, as you claim, why the need for all the over the top spending on mailings by Duckworth’s campaign.
Cegelis is winning. It’s clear on the ground.
- Philosophe Forum - Sunday, Feb 19, 06 @ 12:04 pm:
I’ve heard about the infamous Duckworth mailings. Lots of gloss & expense. Little substance & value. All for the promise of virtual leadership advertised in junk mail. Her burn rate percentage will be huge for a Primary she’ll lose.
Scott’s mailings sound more practical. Facts without hype. Unfortunately, he’s all about pie-in-the-sky idealism.
Cegelis sounds like she’s out there meeting people, doing interviews, answering questions — listening to people. Lots of common sense & reality. That beats wasting money on early junk mail any day.
The voters who’ve already made up their minds will take advantage & vote early. Undecideds will wait until the last minute. My prediction for the Primary is Scott & Duckworth running about even on the votes with Scott getting just a little more. Cegelis will get more votes than both combined.
- Rich Miller - Sunday, Feb 19, 06 @ 12:07 pm:
Shouldn’t you two be out knocking on doors instead of posting on blogs?
- Anon - Sunday, Feb 19, 06 @ 12:20 pm:
Who says we haven’t been? Or at least 100 others like us. It’s lunch time right now.
- Bridget Dooley - Sunday, Feb 19, 06 @ 12:23 pm:
Cegelis’ campaign “in disarray”? Where the hell have YOU been? Obviously not paying much attention to the Cegelis campaign!
Cegelis’ operation is running in an incredibly organized and efficient manner, especially since her recent staff shakeup. All the numbers are worked out and the precincts divided amongst an incredibly dedicated force of volunteers. Boots on the ground connecting with people personally is what is going to push her over the top, not pricey direct mail or impersonal robocalls.
- Rich Miller - Sunday, Feb 19, 06 @ 12:30 pm:
Again, I ask, why aren’t you people working instead of coming here? It’s a big reason why some of us have trouble believing there’s anything going on. You’re not winning any voters here on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. And I know you’re not at headquarters because you’re all commenting from different IP addresses.
If you people spent half the energy actually walking precincts as you do bragging about it and trashing your opponents on blogs I’d have a better view of that campaign.
- Rich Miller - Sunday, Feb 19, 06 @ 12:31 pm:
I’ve allowed these comments to pass through the closed comment barricade because I found them so humorous and I was in my office checking e-mail anyway. But I’m leaving now to enjoy the day, so comments are closed.
- TrueBlueandthankful - Sunday, Feb 19, 06 @ 5:23 pm:
I am not from the district, but I went to Scott’s website and read his views. I am very impressed. He is what I call a “good Demoocrat.” I hope he wins. He draws a clear picture of what he believes in and is representative of what most Democrats that I know believe in. I am a Navy veteran and normally would vote for veterans (only if they are a Democrat), but in Mr. Scott’s case, he would have my vote and all of my family’s vote in the bag.
- NancyZ - Sunday, Feb 19, 06 @ 6:03 pm:
People who say Scott has no committee are clearly lying because they are worried that Scott might win. He has had a full time campaign manager, Dan Bailey, for eight months. Bailey is the best known precinct committeeman in Milton Township and union man. Alex Eaton is his field manager, and he was influential in the successful Virginia governor’s campaign. Scott has two full time Latino workers and dozens of volunteers in the English, Spanish and Indo-American communities. So, cut the lies. Scott has the organization that he needs to win. He also has the business experience (He did start up a thriving book publishing company) and he has been the president of two non-for-profits. He also has a hundred small-business owners in the district on record who have endorsed him. If you take the time to go to his website, you’ll see his huge list of endorsements. When you comment about Scott, I’m just asking that you be accurate.
Nancy and Gary
- NancyZ - Sunday, Feb 19, 06 @ 6:05 pm:
Oh by the way, “anon” seems to be the same Cegelis cheerleader who keeps popping up with distorted information.
NancyZ
- Anon - Sunday, Feb 19, 06 @ 10:28 pm:
Question for you Rich-
Why do you have such a problem with Cegelis? I wondered so I called the campaign and asked Cegelis what she said or did to piss you off.
She said you’ve never interviewed her or spoken with her in any formal capacity.
What does that tell us.
- Anon - Sunday, Feb 19, 06 @ 10:32 pm:
Sorry about that last comment. You’re continual bashing of Cegelis and her supporters just bothers me, especially when I find out you haven’t even interviewed her.
Here’s my suggestion: If you want to know what’s going on outside of us posting on your blog, call the campaign. Talk to Kevin. Talk to Christine. Ask them what’s going on.
Hell, if you are in the area, call and set up a visit and see for yourself.
Honestly, there is much going on well beyond the blogs. I don’t understand why you refuse to find out and keep slamming the Cegelis campaign.
- GB in the 6th - Monday, Feb 20, 06 @ 10:06 am:
Hi -
I am a Cegelis volunteer. I do not do much blogging but when I saw the “disarray” comment I felt I needed to comment. I have worked many campaigns and this one is one of the best. Not only are we working to plan but we are flexible enough to react to new things. If this is disarray I suggest we adopt it as a “new” campaign strategy and ya’ll are welcome to come over to learn how to do it.
GB
- Anon - Monday, Feb 20, 06 @ 3:36 pm:
Nancy-
Sorry for setting me straight. I didn’t know Lindy had hired people. I stand corrected.
- NancyZ - Thursday, Feb 23, 06 @ 11:14 pm:
Anon,
Thanks for admitting your mistake. Next time, check the facts before you make big (and untrue) statements.