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* I’m told that the Republicans are looking very closely at Harry Bond to replace Tim Baldermann on the 11th Congressional District ballot. Baldermann dropped out after winning the February primary, saying he didn’t have time to campaign.
Bond is the president of the Monical’s Pizza franchise. GOP Congressman Jerry Weller decided not to run again this year. The Democratic candidate is Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson.
* More news from that district…
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has filed a series of requests under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act seeking copies of any correspondence — including e-mails — from Republican Will County Board members.
They include Richard Kavanagh, a prominent local lawyer who also represents the Will County Forest Preserve District and is the new head of the county Republicans; Martin Ozinga III, president of Ozinga Bros. Inc., a Mokena-based concrete company; Will County Sheriff Paul Kaupas; and House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego.
* Meanwhile, John Laesch just can’t get over himself…
John Laesch has dropped his challenge of the Feb. 5 Democratic primary election results in the 14th Congressional District.
But that doesn’t mean he’s supporting winning nominee Bill Foster.
Calling Foster a conservative “Blue Dog” Democrat, Laesch said he would not be lining up behind Foster for the November general election. […]
And if Foster prevails in November, he may already have his first primary challenge — Laesch said he very well may run against Foster in 2010.
Did Laesch help set the stage for Foster’s big win over Jim Oberweis by building a grassroots organization in 2006? Yes. But he was not a great candidate, no matter what his hardcore supporters have been saying for years. Right organization, wrong person for the district.
* Also, I totally agree with Billy Dennis. This is a horribly misleading headline: “Schock’s dad linked to alleged scheme.” Dennis writes…
The average media consumer reads that someone is linked to a criminal scheme, and they think they are being told that this person is being accused of a crime.
Anyone who reads the story should come away understanding that Dr. Richard Schock was a victim (if indeed the trusts he bought into were as illegal as the government contends; I don’t know enough about this area of the law to offer an opinion). Dr. Schock was required to pay back taxes and is now going to be a witness against those charged.
* More congressional stories, compiled by Kevin…
* Carol Marin: Illinois GOP headed down Oberweis’ path
* Michael Barone: Illinois Election: Very Bad News for GOP
* Lynn Sweet: I’ve been told the poor performance by Oberweis in Saturday’s special election to fill the remainder of the term vacated by former House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) — especially in GOP turf — means he will have a tough time persuading the National Republican Congressional Committee — the political arm of House Republicans based here — to give him a second chance. They are wondering if Oberweis will stay on the ballot, and that kind of speculation is not good for Oberweis.
* Foster sworn into Congress
* Mr. Foster goes to Washington
* Helped find top quark, found way to win votes
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 9:46 am
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For years the Republicans had their way, and as human nature has it, they got fat, lazy, and developed no bench…their political farm system died through complacency. Don’t whine about it now, do something about it.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 10:00 am
If Oberwiess cares about getting a Republican elected in the 14th district he will get off the ballot, if on the other hand this is about personal glory, then he will not.
Comment by Robert MW Stanford Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 10:07 am
John Laesch is a sore loser, already getting ready for the 2010 primary against Rep. Foster
Comment by Blue Girl Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 10:33 am
Obviously, that should read “Dr. Schock was required to pay back taxes and is NOW going to be a witness against those charged.”
Comment by Billy Dennis Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 10:36 am
Laesch needs to join Oberweis and just go away!! Save us all the headaches.
train111
Comment by train111 Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 10:41 am
Harry Bond is a good man and will make a great candidate.
I have to admit that the person who wrote that the Republicans are lazy and have not developed a good “bench” is right.
Comment by MinGOP Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 10:42 am
Honestly the best person to run to ensure a victory would really be Bill Brady (Senator) - if he really is serious about running for Governor or doing something for the states don’t you think this will give him a good platform to gain statewide and national attention and also fight back against the Democrats. Senator Brady if you are reading this I seriously ask that you consider it - what do you have to lose.
You can easily defeat your fellow Senator - I’ve heard both speak and Brady is clearer the better one and the better campaigner.
Comment by MinGOP Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 10:44 am
Oberweis doesn’t strike me as someone who will step aside.
If Obama wins the nomination, you have to believe the NRCC will cut off any funding for their Illinois candidates.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 10:58 am
One of the things I miss from my childhood is Monical’s pizza. Yes, I have pizza options galore up here in Cook County, but I still miss Monicals. If Mr. Bond isn’t rabid, is likeable, and actually does want to run with all the bother that entails, then he would be a better candidate than either Obie or Baldermann.
Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 11:43 am
Am afraid John Laesch has a wee bit of the ” milk man ” in him.
Comment by bluedog demo Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 12:08 pm
Do any of you knocking Laesch live in the 14th District?
Comment by Please! Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 12:26 pm
Please!
I criticized Laesch and Oberweis both above– and yes I do live in the 14th Dist. BTW, I did vote for Laesch in 2006 despite the fact that I didn’t care for what I felt were his tactics towards Zamora in the primary, and those who didn’t agree with him. (eerily similar to Oberweis’ tactics if you ask me) Rich is correct in that his hard work in 2006 did alot towards setting the stage for Foster’s victory Saturday. That is something that he is to be applauded for. Hard work–yes indeed, he worked extremely hard both times out. Abrasive campaign style that turns off voters–you bet.
train111
train111
Comment by train111 Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 12:41 pm
I live in the 14th and actively supported John in 2006. I chose to support Foster in this cycle primarily because I felt his moderate positions would play well in the district (particularly when compared to the ultra conservative agenda of a Lauzen or Oberweis). I believe we have chosen the right guy to represent us in the 14th and I couldn’t be more thrilled. While I have a lot of respect and admiration for both John and his wife, I am hoping that what we are hearing from the Laesch camp is a little (justified) blowing off of some accumulated steam. This can’t be an easy time for them, and I hope that with the benefit of some time and reflection, that they wholeheartedly join in supporting Foster for re-election (!) in the fall.
Comment by Crusher Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 12:43 pm
monical’s is so gross. yeech.
I used to live in Downers Grove and I remember when they tried to open a branch there. It closed in, like, 6 months. I used to live in B-N, too, and I was always confused by how popular that joint was.
It’s pretty much the nastiest stuff. Bond should lose just for his sins against pizza.
Comment by jerry 101 Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 1:57 pm
if he really is serious about running for Governor or doing something for the states don’t you think this will give him a good platform to gain statewide and national attention and also fight back against the Democrats.
Nah. First, being one of 435 doesn’t get you that much national attention. In fact, running will barely give him more local recognition. That part of the state already knows him for the most part, and much of the rest of IL doesn’t pay attention to out-of-district races.
Second, people don’t like it when they elect a person for a 2-year congressional term only to see him turn around and vacate it for a higher office right away. The district could feel slighted, and the party won’t want to defend an open seat two elections in a row. Congressional seats are supposed to be more of a commitment. Otherwise, it looks like ego.
Third, he’s up for reelection for his own Springfield seat, so if he loses it, he’s really sunk.
Comment by Some Guy Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 2:22 pm
I hope Bond does run. I just hope he’s not a megalomaniac like Oberweis. If you are going to be a self-funder and stick your own neck out at yuor own expense, please be like a John Corzine or Peter Fitzgerald and appear to be normal and actually care about something. Oberweis needs a new hobby - somethine other than running for a state- or federal-level office. I miss model airplane building; maybe he could do that.
I really wish Tim Schmitz would’ve run in the 14th. He could have certainly beaten Foster and Obie would’ve never sniffed him in the primary.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 3:07 pm
The Illinois GOP Congressional delegation should probably not be as vociferous when it comes to national defense. I think it’s safe to say that a clear majority of people in Illinois don’t support the war in Iraq and don’t view national security as the #1 concern on November 5, 2008. That is going to hurt GOP candidates running for open seats and GOP incumbents who have tough re-election campaigns. If Bond does run, he should be careful when discussing national security issues.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 3:16 pm
Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham owns a $5 million marina in Seneca and is one of the finalists for the 11th. He has won two elections for County Clerk and ran for Congress years ago in a district that overlapped the current 11th and did very well.
Comment by 11th CD Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 10:39 pm
I think that its great these candidates talk about the national issues but in all honesty voters really want to hear about local issues and want to hear about what they are going to do for them and their family
They should just go out there and say what they believe instead of always trying to go along with the party line.
Thats what the Republican party needs - more of those people.
Comment by MinGOP Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 11:06 pm
Please !! Will someone convince Oberweis to please leave the ballot & politics …. it’s getting embarrassing. McKenna needs to think about moving on too. New leadership, badly needed at the top & a new candidate soon is the only hope for this district. What about others ? No “farm-team” to pick from.
Comment by annon in the stykes Thursday, Mar 13, 08 @ 6:25 am
Please! - Wednesday, Mar 12, 08 @ 12:26 pm
I do live in the 14th Congressional District and Laesch has been nothing short of a party pooper! I at one point had respect for his grassroots organizing but have learned recently that he was more of a bully in the process of recruiting volunteers that are either committeemen, elected officials or candidates. His behavior is childish.
Two perfect examples of his childish antics are 1). calling labor unions after the Primary to ask them not to support the winner and 2). sticking his nose into Kane County and Aurora politics (he is a resident of Kendall County where he was instrumental in creating a huge gulf amoung Dems there and furthermore holds NO elected position in the Dem Party on which he is trying to exert inappropriate influence).
He reminds me of Ralph Nader SO much in the spoiler sense.
John, go away, this is not your personal Florida and the voters here do not like your type of bully politics.
Comment by Aurora Dem Thursday, Mar 13, 08 @ 9:40 am
You forgot to mention the Green Party candidate in the 11th, Jason Wallace.
Comment by M.V. Thursday, Mar 13, 08 @ 10:06 am
Right on Aurora Dem, same problems with him in Kendall County, latching onto campaigns and taking away their volunteers.
Comment by Blue Girl Thursday, Mar 13, 08 @ 10:52 am