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Bustos, Enyart and Schneider on top target protection list

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Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel named 26 of his colleagues to the Frontline program, a committee program designed to protect their most vulnerable incumbents.

“We call this program Frontline for a reason – these Members are on the vanguard of protecting and expanding the middle class,” Israel said in a written statement released Tuesday morning.

“While the 2014 campaign will be dominated by a strong offense taking on the Tea Party Republican Congress, our success begins with our Members,” added Israel, a Democrat from New York. “These battle-tested men and women have proven time and again that they can win because no one better reflects the values of their districts.”

Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn. will spearhead the program as its chairman. He’s a Frontline alumni as recently as the 2012 cycle.

* The Illinois list…

Rep. Cheri Bustos, Illinois’ 17th District

Rep. Bill Enyart, Illinois’ 12th District

Rep. Brad Schneider, Illinois’ 10th District

* The NRCC sent out a response for all the Illinoisans. Here’s the e-mail release about Enyart…

: “Nancy Pelosi isn’t being shy about Bill Enyart’s dismal chance at re-election in 2014. Her early indication that Enyart has an uphill battle is a very telling sign that House Democrats are expecting a disappointing election cycle.” – NRCC Spokeswoman Katie Prill

The NRCC is also running online ads to try and drive this point home.

* From the DCCC…

“Bill Enyart, Cheri Bustos and Brad Schneider were elected in 2012 because they are committed to fighting for the middle class and ending the dysfunction and extremism in Washington. They are focused on getting results for the people of the Illinois and we will partner with them to make sure they are re-elected.”

Blah, blah, blah.

Sheesh, man. Do these guys ever step out of DC-speak?

Privately, the Dems say that this list only means that the incumbents will likely be targeted by the Republicans, the first reelection is always the toughest and point out that the GOP has a similar “Patriot” program.

* But if 2014 is at all like 2010, Obama’s first midterm, then the next off-year election will probably be challenging for these freshman Dems. Here are the Bill Brady vs. Pat Quinn 2010 results by district…

* 17th (Bustos) 51-39

* 12th (Enyart) 50-40

* 10th (Schneider) 45-46

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 11:36 am

Comments

The NRCC is living in la-la land. But what else is new?

Comment by Deep South Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 11:42 am
I live in the 10th District, and I hope that a Republican will announce, for that race, in March or April. I asked Norm Hill, State Sen. Dan Duffy, State Rep. JoAnn Osmond, Lake Co. Clerk Willard Helander, and Lake Co. Sheriff Mark Curran to run. Duffy said that he’ll consider it. The others said that they won’t run.

Comment by Conservative Veteran Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 11:47 am
I hate this kind of thing. it is why the public in general is so turned off on politics. these folks just started their new job in January; just elected in Nov. Give them some time to show whether they are worthy of re-election. I met Cheri Bustos (my Congresswoman) awhile back; did not vote for her; was determined not to like her. Guess what, she came across as a genuinely nice person, asked good questions about my issues, stayed focused on our discussion, not hurrying off to another conversation. I liked her. Now, the burden is on her to prove she means it when she says to keep her informed on the issues and she will do what she can to help.

For the record, I didn’t want to like her because I didn’t like how Durbin cleared the field for her. let the voters decide.

I know I am dreaming on all of this. I’ve been around a long time, worked on campaigns, lobbied General Assembly and Congress, know how Spfld and WDC work, but neither place works any more.

off my soapbox for now.

Comment by Susiejones Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 11:55 am
I imagine Dold will give it a shot. Why wouldn’t he?

In the 17th, the GOP is probably recruiting local TV anchors and meteorologists. That’s who they used to run against Lane Evans.

In the 12th, if I were Jason, I’d probably focus on serving my country as a Naval Intelligence officer (I hear that’s going great). You don’t want to start your 30s as a three-time loser.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 11:59 am
It’s always harder to turn someone into a caricature when they actually get into office and have a record (Joe Walsh aside). These were drawn as strongly Dem districts. As I don’t expect 2014 to be at all like 2010, I think these guys will all be fine. Remember, all were expected to lose and all easily won.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 12:10 pm
What about Schilling in the 17th? Has he ruled out a rematch?

Comment by 10th ward Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 12:10 pm
===

- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 28, 13 @ 9:36 am:

IL-10, Schneider (D) - In Play

IL-12, Enyart - (D) Not in Play

IL-17, Bustos - (D) Only a “rerun”, then In Play

I have it, Schneider… In Play, …and Bustos under criteria, In Play.

Enyart and … NOT In Play.

Enyart beat Plummer by 8 points with all that money Plummer threw at Enyart and the way its drawn.

…

We got 7 months or so till petitions, anything can happen, I guess. ===

If Schilling and Dold run again, with that still “new” district, then you have something going.

Jason Plummer can NOT be a 3 time loser at 31 … Someone needs to tell him that he does NOT have to run.

Getting a job that his Dad didn’t get for him, that might help too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 12:17 pm
I always thought wordslinger was one of those smart, brilliant commenters Rich is always bragging about.

Looks like snarkslinger to me.

Among those running against Lane Evans in his near quarter century as a House backbencher was a member of the Illinois Senate, a QC attorney and a professor of ethics at Augustana.

In one of his runs against Mark Baker, Evans was accused by the FEC of illegal coordination, and although he admitted no guilt, he paid the fine only saying that he “meant well and his intentions were good”. lol

Comment by qcexaminer Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 12:22 pm
10th ward, I no longer have contact with the Schilling camp, but I’m thinking that since the 17th has been redrawn to include parts of Peoria and Rockford—both larger than the QCs, the next GOP candidate for congress may come from one of those cities.

Just speculating.

Comment by qcexaminer Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 12:25 pm
Those Quinn v. Brady numbers in the downstate congressional districts are exhibit A of why many downstate Democrats are not in any hurry to jump on the Quinn Express.

Comment by NW IL Democrat Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 12:30 pm
The lesson I would take from Brady beating Quinn in these districts is that if the Democrats nominate candidates from Chicago in these three districts, the GOP might have a chance.

I would go back the the ‘98 cycle for how the Dems vs. Rs will play out in 2014.

In this analysis, 1994 (GOP win Congress) is analogous to 2010.

The Dems did pretty well in 1998. The historical pattern was for the party that controlled the presidency to loose ground in the mid-terms of the second term. And a bunch of donors were freaked out by the Clinton-Lewinsky media creation.

But the Dems actually did pretty well.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 12:32 pm
- Deep South - Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 11:42 am:

The NRCC is living in la-la land. But what else is new?

===============================

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel named 26 of his colleagues to the Frontline program

==================================

DCCC, too?

Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 12:47 pm
dold just bought his parents house and now lives in jan’s district about an hour from the heart of the new 10th district which in suburban terms is a like living on the other side of the state. The things in play here are that the chief of the nrcc is the ex cos for mark kirk and the senator also lives in IL10.

For schneider, his biggest plus is that recent history suggests Republicans can’t retake the seat. After losing districts like these held by moderate republicans throughout the northeast the national party has largely avoided trying to fight to retake them figuring the combo of the expense of the seat and the presidential leaning makes them too tough to retake. He’s a horrible candidate so he’s banking on that. Corinne wood would be a good candidate.

oswego, jason plummer can’t put together a coherent sentence which sadly in my party these days probably makes him a senate candidate, but for me is not good enough.

I’m with you Rich on the NRCC speak, it makes me sad that people talk like that.

Comment by Shore Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 12:50 pm
Schilling isn’t running for anything anytime soon. He was far too conservative for the 17th.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 1:56 pm
Oswego Willy
Plummer is running. Have fun.

Comment by Intheloop Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 2:22 pm
===Oswego Willy
Plummer is running. Have fun.===

When his Dad got him the job on the Bank Board, it was for another run.

For a man in Naval Intellegence, Jason doesn’t learn too good.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 2:54 pm
Didn’t realize Duffy lived in 10th. He’s a strong conservative voice. A “moderate” like Kirk probably does better in the 10th.

Comment by walkinfool Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 3:01 pm
Rodney Davis better be on the GOP’s Patriot list - he is gonna need all the help he can get !

Comment by CornBelter Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 4:02 pm
– I met Cheri Bustos (my Congresswoman) awhile back; did not vote for her; was determined not to like her. Guess what, she came across as a genuinely nice person, asked good questions about my issues, stayed focused on our discussion, not hurrying off to another conversation. I liked her.–

Way to go, Suzie. Let’s those of us with open minds knock them together every once in a while and get some things done.

Again, good on you Suzie.

And Cheri is the tops.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 5, 13 @ 10:14 pm
Schilling was in over his head and Bustos is a very hard worker - she’ll be fine if she keeps doing what she has been doing with her official duties and raises money like she did last cycle.

Comment by PeoriaGuy Wednesday, Mar 6, 13 @ 10:55 am
I think Dold should run for Governor. He is a social moderate, fiscal conservative, exactly what plays well statewide. He will definitely have the support of Mark Kirk. Also, he can raise the money from his financial services and AIPAC contacts.

Who knows, Bloomberg may even come in for him again. Which as we know is a lot of money that can do a lot of good work.

Comment by Galesburg Tracks Wednesday, Mar 6, 13 @ 12:36 pm