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* Freshman Congressman Joe Walsh just announced that he will run in the 14th District primary. From his press release…
As you know, the Democrats controlled the entire redistricting process in Illinois and they’ve drawn a map which attempts to overturn the 2010 election. The Republicans have filed suit to challenge the Democrat drawn map and have presented the court with their own fair map. We should get an answer from the Court in November but I didn’t want to wait that long to let you all know what I’ll be doing.
* Walsh mentions fellow freshman Randy Hultgren in the announcement…
I understand that there is another Republican Congressman drawn into this new district, Randy Hultgren and it would be unfortunate if we had to run against each other. But the new 14th District, if it stands, doesn’t belong to any Incumbent or any politician. The district belongs to the people of this district and they will have to decide who their next representative is. And if they have to decide between two Republican Incumbents, so be it - in many ways Randy and I are both good conservatives who share many of the same values but there are also healthy differences between the two of us, we’ve both had a very different initial tenure in Washington, and the voters in the new district will decide which one of us will best be their voice in DC.
* And he has already begun framing the primary race against Hultgren, who was a state legislator before moving to Congress…
I said during the campaign I was going to go to Washington and scream from the mountaintop about the frightening direction our country was heading and that’s what I’ve done, becoming one of the most outspoken voices in Congress.
Friends, we’re in a fight, a fight we can’t lose. This President doesn’t understand what makes America great. His policies are destroying what makes this the greatest and freest country in the history of this planet, and the only way we will defeat him and those who agree with him is to respectfully fight him with everything we’ve got. Now is not the time to have career politicians in Washington who will just get along, compromise too much, and do what their party leadership tells them to do. We need members of Congress right now who will fight for the folks back home, do what’s right, and not worry about the next election.
I went to Washington because I believe America is going through a revolution over her very soul and I wanted to do my part to help win this fight. It’s why I’ve been so vocal this first year, it’s why I’ve been a leader in the fight for the balanced budget amendment, it’s why I was one of 22 Republicans who voted against my own Speaker’s final debt ceiling compromise, it’s why I sleep in my office, why I’ve limited myself to no more than six years in Congress, it’s why I turned down my Congressional health and retirement benefits, and it’s why I did not attend President Obama’s joint session speech the other week and instead came home and listened to 100 small business owners, the real job creators in this country. We are at a crucial point in our country’s history and our side — the side that believes in freedom and limited government — has to win. […]
I said during the Campaign that I am a tea party conservative first, and a Republican second. You see, I believe the tea party movement is bigger than either party — it consists of every American frustrated, concerned, angry and scared with how big government is getting and the debt we’re placing on ourselves and future generations. This “silent majority” has put their faith in the Republican Party one last time to get it right.
* As I told you yesterday, Republicans have been holding back on making campaign announcements until their map lawsuit is resolved. Walsh is the second member, after Tim Johnson, to declare his intentions. The dam may be about to burst, but this story may also have played a role in Walsh’s timing…
Nineteen lawmakers are listed as either violating the law or showing a lack of regard for congressional ethics and rules in a government watchdog group’s annual report on the “Most Corrupt” members of Congress.
The seventh annual report released Tuesday by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) lists 14 members — 10 Republicans and 4 Democrats — as having allegedly violated congressional ethics rules or criminal laws, such as illegally garnering campaign contributions or failing to disclose accurate financial records. […]
Of the 19 lawmakers listed in the report, six of those are freshmen, including [Joe Walsh]. The report states that Walsh allegedly made inaccurate statements on his financial disclosure forms and court financial filing records. Walsh owes his ex-wife more than $100,000 in child support payments, and the report argues that it does not reflect creditably on the House, especially while he was able to loan $35,500 to his campaign committee.
A county judge in Illinois ruled last week that Walsh has to explain why he is so far behind making his child support payments, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Regardless of what some feel about CREW, its report will make a heckuva mailer.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Congressman Hultgren responds, claiming Walsh is playing into the Democrats’ hands by announcing so soon and tossing in a few other insults for good measure…
“I’m disappointed that the Congressman from the 8th District has decided to abandon his own district to run against me in a primary,” said US Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14). “By doing so, he’s playing into the hands of the Springfield Democrats and Nancy Pelosi, who have drawn the Congressional map for Illinois specifically to encourage just such a contest.
“The residents of the 14th District are looking for responsible leadership for the long haul, and know that if we are to turn this country around, fix our economy, and put Americans back to work we won’t be able to do it through political grandstanding, sound bites, and name calling. Winning the challenge before us takes commitment, experience, and a long term view.
“Throughout the campaign I look forward to proving my pro-business, small-government, pro-freedom record and earning the support of the voters of the 14th District so I can continue to represent them in Washington for years to come.”
Thoughts?
*** UPDATE 2 *** A silly press release from Democrat Tammy Duckworth’s campaign…
“Faced with running against Tammy Duckworth, Joe Walsh cut and ran. She leads the Democratic primary 69-8%, won in the 8th district before, and raised $4.5 million in 2006. But more than that, Tammy Duckworth has a story of service to our nation and standing up for middle-class families like the one she grew up in that Joe Walsh could never challenge. There are rumors that GOP sources polled Walsh against Tammy. We don’t know the results of the poll, but his retreat makes it clear what the voters told Joe Walsh — pack your bags,” said Josh Levin, Campaign Manager
Walsh was never going to stay in that district.
*** UPDATE 3 *** The National Journal is usually the DC bible, but this is wrong, or at least badly outdated…
Walsh will have one ally on his side in the GOP race - the anti-tax Club for Growth. Nearly two months ago, the conservative group signaled they would back Walsh if he ran in the 14th District.
Yeah, the Club for Growth did come out for Walsh in July. But after the Sun-Times broke the child support story in August, the Club for Growth backed off…
Club for Growth President Chris Chocola told The Hill that if the reports were true, they might not support him after all.
“We said that if he ran in the 14th then we would likely endorse him. But character matters. If these are real issues, we don’t know what the answer is. He has said this isn’t true, but when it comes time to make a decision, character matters,” Chocola said on Tuesday. “Walsh has been a leader on the issues, and when you look strictly at his votes and at his policy positions he’s great. But character matters and we’ll learn what the facts are on him.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 9:48 am
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CREW was founded by at that time the former legal counsel to chuck schumer-the senior democratic senator from new york who was heading up their senate campaign committee. It’s like Karl Rove’s group releasing a list of most wasteful members of congress.
Comment by shore Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 9:56 am
Since Rep. Walsh won’t run in the 8th Dist., the congressman for the new 8th Dist. will be Rich Evans, a conservative who has been campaigning since June 20. He worked for the campaigns of Eric Wallace and Jim Oberweis.
Comment by Conservative Veteran Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 9:58 am
CV, I’ve warned you about this during other campaigns so I shouldn’t have to tell you again, but I will. Your drive-by comments like the one above are barely more than spam, and will be treated as such from here on end. Buy an ad or come up with something new to say. Either way, you’re on the verge of being completely banned.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 10:01 am
“CREW was founded by at that time the former legal counsel to chuck schumer-the senior democratic senator from new york who was heading up their senate campaign committee. It’s like Karl Rove’s group releasing a list of most wasteful members of congress.” ——-Like Rich said, it makes a good mailer.
I think that Randy Hultgren is going to get a sudden increase in campaign contributions with this announcement. People may not have known Hultgren but they know Walsh.
Comment by k3_Spfld_Chi Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 10:06 am
Maybe I’m off-base in this prediction, but I could see the NRCC giving Hultgren cash and help to take Walsh down. If the Dems recruit a decent candidate - or if Bill Foster runs again - Joe Walsh could easily lose that seat in an Obama year. Hultgren stands a much better chance. Joe’s press person writes all the right things in the release, but Joe’s actions and non-stop TV appearances prove otherwise.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 10:07 am
Now is the time for all good Republicans to come to the aid of their party give this obscene charlatan Walsh the vicious smackdown he so rightfully deserves.
Lincoln, Dirksen, Reagan…. and Walsh? Do the right thing. Take back your party.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 10:22 am
Hultgren has been honorably following the agreement by the Illinois Republican delegation to hold off on campaigning until the re-map lawsuit runs its course. Walsh, in his typical fashion, believes he is somehow above the rest of that delegation and has been making appearances across the new 14th for months. I cannot wait for Hultgren to start running his campaign and give the people an alternative to Walsh.
Comment by A.B. Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 10:27 am
“Respectfully fight him”? When has Joe Walsh shown respect for anybody? He did not show respect for his kids, or his ex-wife or Congressman Bean or President Obama. Was his statement meant to be ironic?
Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 10:33 am
Game on! Walsh is toast.
Comment by frustrated GOP Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 10:37 am
Team Sleep: bill foster is running again in the 11th CD (see http://www.billfoster.com/ )
shore: given the propensity for using nefarious sources for quotes used in direct mail, it doesn’t really matter who founded crew. the mailer writes itself. more to the point, i seriously doubt that failing to pay child support is a family value. walsh is toast, not matter how outrageous he is…
Comment by bored now Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 10:39 am
The Tea Party is neither silent nor a majority.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 10:42 am
Thanks Bored. I wasn’t sure where he resides.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 10:46 am
The smoker you drink, the player you get.
Comment by Boone Logan Square Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 10:47 am
==I said during the Campaign that I am a tea party conservative first, and a Republican second==
at least Walsh isn’t hiding his allegiances with this statement.
Comment by Robert Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 10:48 am
I’m with Skeeter… In his short time as a politician, Walsh has certainly learned to say what you want people to hear with no regard for accuracy or truth. He’s a quintessential politician willing to say or do anything to get attention and advance his personal agenda… What’s sad is that he was ever elected in the first place. We’d all be better off with him off any public stage… He needs to go the way of Scott Lee Cohen and hopefully disappear.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 10:51 am
Walsh has been screaming from the rooftops, all right. All it has done for him is make him popular on the 24 hour new channels, because he’s always available to say something extreme and often foolish. Gives them something to fill those empty hours.
Walsh has been an embarrassment to whatever party he is part of. His deadbeat dad status is the nail in the coffin. He won’t make it past a primary challenge.
Comment by Aldyth Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 10:55 am
I didn’t know that working for an Oberweis campaign was a credential. Maybe this was actually an attack ad by CV.
Comment by hawksfan Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 10:56 am
Hultgren’s response is perfect. It makes him sound like a grown-up.
Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 11:03 am
Walsh or Hultgren. Seriously, is this the best the GOP can offer?
Given those 2 it will be Hultgren of course. Walsh has no support left beyond some tea partiers and they’re all a drag at this point on the gop ticket in IL going into 2012.
In less than 2 yrs they’ve made themselves seem more loony than any conservative or liberal ever did in IL.
Comment by just sayin' Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 11:04 am
Rich, I’m sorry for my last comment. I didn’t see your other warnings, to me.
Comment by Conservative Veteran Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 11:04 am
Speaking from experience here, watch out in primaries in presidential years. If there is a hot presidential race still going on, the composition of the electorate can change.
In this state, that can mean more moderates.
That doesn’t mean Hultgren can get away with phoning it in and raising 188 per quarter and having a quarter million on hand. You’re going to need TV buddy to hit the folks that might come down the ballot to save you.
But the polling on R primes nationally tell you only one side of the story. 80% “conservative” doesn’t mean 80% tea party or 80% “burn everything down.” Conservative means just as much “traditional” and “cautious” as it means “hate everything that is Obama.”
Conservatives liked Paul Simon’s disagree without being disagreeable.
Comment by Tom B. Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 11:09 am
Walsh doesn’t even have a shot at a post-Congressional gig on Faux News!
Comment by D.P. Gumby Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 11:11 am
How does anyone in their right mind vote for Walsh over Hultgren?
Comment by Lance Stevens Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 11:12 am
Tom B, you’re right, except we’re back to a late March primary. If history is any sort of guide, there won’t be much of a prez primary race by then. We’ll have to see.
Either way, some of you are far too quick to judge this one as a gimme. Yes, Walsh will get whacked like a rented mule. But he’s incredibly well-known, has an easily remembered name, and has a committed ground crew that’ll be unmatched by Hultgren. I’d wait a bit before judging this one as over if I were y’all.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 11:21 am
Joe Walsh campaign theme:
“Everybody’s so different, I haven’t changed.”
or
“They say I’m crazy but it takes all my time.”
Rocker Joe Walsh, call your lawyers.
Comment by just sayin' Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 11:39 am
How satisfied are Republican voters with GOP leaders in Washington?
If 55% of GOP voters are dissatisfied and 35% are satisfied, what happens when the party leadership makes it clear Hultgren is their guy?
Walsh is going to try to frame it as outsider vs. insider. It’s a pretty accurate representation of the situation.
Hultgren comes to the table with some advantages, but Walsh has a message, he has a base and he has name recognition.
If someone asks Hultgren what he’s accomplished in Congress, what’s his answer? If Hultgren is running as an insider, he better have a good answer. What’s the point of electing an insider who doesn’t deliver legislation and pork?
Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 11:48 am
Rich, maybe you can do a series of QOTD.
Which race will be more entertaining?
a. Walsh vs. Hultgren or Halvorson vs. JJJ
b. Raja vs. Duckworth or Kinzinger vs. Manzullo
c. IL-10 (Dems) or IL-17 (Dems)
d. IL-13 (Dems) or IL-11 (Dems)
Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 11:56 am
One thing that Hultgren has though is that there is going to be no Democratic primary. No presidential primary–zero, zip, nada, and no statewide offices to boot. Given the compostion of the new 14th District, there will probably be no ‘hot Democratic primaries’ on any of the down ballot spots as well. That gives pro-Dem voters a chance to move on over and choose between Hultgren and Walsh. (I haven’t taken a GOP ballot since ‘94, but if I was living in that district–I’m out by about 4 blocks–I’d take that GOP ballot any day just to vote against that loon Walsh.) I don’t think I’m alone either.
On the other hand if the GOP has already got a nominee by the end of March, then who knows what their turnout would be.
train111
Comment by train111 Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 11:56 am
The GOP has fed their base so many lies about the media and the corrupt courts run by trial lawyers, I don’t think using press clippings to attack Walsh is going to work well.
In fact, I suspect many Republican voters will take that as evidence Walsh is their guy for standing up against the liberal media.
Don’t be surprised when the chickens come home to roost.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 12:00 pm
Hultgren courting Dems to crossover and help. That oughta play well with the GOP base.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 12:02 pm
Carl — Agreed! That sounds like the Corinne Wood for Governor strategy circa 2002. Foolish.
Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 12:14 pm
Kirk’s early support of Walsh–i.e., all of the townhalls they did together–will help him, too. If Kirk turns on him now, it will help Walsh. If Kirk supports him, it will help Walsh. I don’t think, however, that Kirk will get a pass on staying out of this race, so this one–for many reasons–will be the interesting to watch.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 12:15 pm
Kirk did town halls with everyone and Kirk will not back a horse in that primary. The last thing he needs is a right wing problem.
The last paragraph of hultgren’s thing-that he is a family man and has business experience is a lot better than the 2nd one. To the tea party walsh’s “grandstanding”is exactly what they wanted someone willing to go the distance for their issues. If I was a Republican voter in that district, while I am much more moderate than Walsh I would go with him because he’s not an establishment springfield republican like hultgren and actually backs up what he says.
Comment by shore Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 12:20 pm
In the spirit of Rich’s comments, I agree that you shouldn’t underestimate Walsh. Call me crazy, but after losing the primary I can picture him running as an “Independent Tea Party” candidate. He has got nothing to lose, because his only job prospect would be hosting the 2am-6am slot on 560 WIND.
Comment by Abe Frohman Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 12:20 pm
I think it might be too late for that, shore. Should have heeded the warnings about dancing with the devil in the pale moonlight.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 12:22 pm
A couple things….
Foster does not live in the new 11th, which was drawn for John Atkinson. (Or at least to lure Atkinson to not run against Lipinski, although Atkinson took a pass and has endorsed Foster in the 11th.) Foster lives in the new 14th. He just doesn’t want to run against Hultgren or Walsh.
I wouldn’t count on many Dems to cross over to vote for Hultgren, who voted against the debt ceiling bill. Hultgren’s a card-carrying member of the Religious Right and, while he’s not as obnoxious as Walsh or a deadbeat dad, he’s not all that palatable to Dems.
And, finally, if the CREW crew are a Democratic front group, why do they name any Dems - much less four?
Comment by Still Stuck with Sen. CPA Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 12:37 pm
Lance - Joe’s peeps will be out in full force come early January. He will put more boots on the ground and have a better grassroots effort. When I mentioned “help” in my earlier post, I was more so referring to the NRCC having sitting GOP Delegation members assist Hultgren and have their staffs come in to stave of Joe. But I don’t think Joe’s base will be deterred and they will cover as many precincts as possible.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 12:44 pm
I can’t wait to see the Real Joe Walsh exposed for what he is…
Voters will have to choose between a person of character (Hultgren) or a character (Walsh).
Go Randy!
Comment by Who is the real Joe Walsh? Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 12:54 pm
There’s one wrinkle in this Rich, proportional allocation versus and winner-take-all allocation in the GOP primaries. The R’s changed some of their rules to be a mix (which no friggin reporter will put in a chart form), and that will make the primaries go longer.
Ask Shore how nervous he is about Perry kicking Romney’s ass so bad in Iowa and getting second in NH that he builds momentum with SC and FL and Mitt only has NH and NV delegates by Super Tuesday.
Won’t be enough Bain/SuperPac money to stop him then. “It’s math.”
Comment by Tom B. Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 12:58 pm
Hmmm…this is where the “latest and greatest” in today’s campaign strategies and messaging–that have successfully been pounded into our heads by recent campaigns–will play a part. A “flawed” human being with a passion to serve the public seemed to work before. No reason it should fail this time. Especially with a “no holds barred” warrior like Walsh. Besides, I don’t think there’s much else you can dig up on him that people don’t already know.
Right out of the old playbook, but factual this time.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 1:01 pm
And besides…someone can always hire the “professional muckracker” you-know-who if further “desensitization” is required. Right?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 1:09 pm
Rich, the R Presidential race is set to kick off on February 6th, and Super Tuesday is March 6th.
As long as the Republicans don’t have a nominee March 7th, Illinois probably will have a national primary of significance.
Comment by J Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 1:23 pm
==Call me crazy, but after losing the primary I can picture him running as an “Independent Tea Party” candidate
Illinois has a sore loser law so he won’t be able to do that.
Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 1:39 pm
How does the sore loser law work for U.S. House seats?
Can lose a primary in one district and then run in another district?
It would seem not an entirely bad option to recycle the loser of Hultgren vs. Walsh as the nominee in IL-08 (if they can convince the guy to step aside). Is this possible?
Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 2:34 pm
No, it’s not possible.
Comment by LincolnLounger Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 3:31 pm
I expect Walsh to become even more shrill and frenetic as the election season continues. His foaming at the mouth style will turn off even those on the far right. I wouldn’t be surprised if most of his fellow Republican candidates shun him during the general election process.
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 4:12 pm
I think most commenters are discounting Walsh’s chances too hastily.
Not sure about republican primary voters in the 14th, but, oversimplifying a bit, Walsh seems more similar to the views of Bachman+Perry, while Hultgren is more similar to Romney. And Perry+Bachman = plenty of votes.
Walsh works hard and won a tough, close election.
Comment by Robert Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 4:22 pm
Robert, their voting records are nearly identical. The style is the biggest difference.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 21, 11 @ 4:23 pm
@Robert -
Walsh was handed a “close” election thanks to a Green Party perennial anti-Bean candidate who got 6000 votes — more than enough to take a majority away from Bean and hand a very slim plurality to Walsh the Clown (as distinct from Walsh the Singer).
Regardless, most voters last November voted against Walsh.
Comment by G. Willickers Thursday, Sep 22, 11 @ 12:45 am