Elections

Harmon, Froehlich Bill Provides DuPage Candidates With Equal Ballot Access

by: WurfWhile

Sun Jun 01, 2008 at 23:53:58 PM CDT

(Cross-posted at WurfWhile.com)

Overturning Republican State Senator Dan Cronin's efforts to restrict DuPage County candidate ballot access, Democratic State Senator Don Harmon and Democratic State Representative Paul Froehlich sponsored a bill passed in the Illinois General Assembly last Friday that requires DuPage candidates to collect the same number of signatures to get on the ballot as is required by every other county in Illinois.  The legislation moves to Governor Rod Blagojevich's desk, where he is expected to sign it into law.  

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We won one!

by: Gary Kleppe

Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 09:05:18 AM CST

In Maryland, but hey, a win's a win.

Progressive Donna Edwardsshows Bush dog Al Wynn the door in district MD-4. Edwards was supported by PDA, DFA, and many other progressive groups and communities.

After Downing Street reports:

SEIU executive director Terry Cavanagh put the contest in context, recounting his conversation with a member of Congress who wondered "Why are you doing this to Al Wynn? There are worse Democrats than Al Wynn."

And now there's a better one. That's why.

Discuss :: (6 Comments)

GI Jill Morgenthaler Roundup

by: bridgetdooley

Sun Oct 28, 2007 at 11:56:10 AM CDT

Crossposted from my blog.


MAINSTREAM MEDIA COVERAGE

*************************************
Col. Morgenthaler's campaign plays a weird game of "will she or won't she" after having already announced that she will to local Democratic activists and party leaders. This leaves those of us in the trenches scratching out heads, then shrugging our shoulders, then thinking "whatever, at least someone seemingly credible is running". Perhaps we're thrown for a bit of a loop due to how a last minute candidacy was handled the last time around. None of us knew until she was in, while this time we knew Jill was in before she was. I think that may have been the appearance the Morgenthaler campaign was going for, anyway.

***
Without much fanfare, Col. Jill Morgenthaler officially announced last week that she will be running in IL-06. She called Rich Miller on Wednesday, Oct. 24th to break the news.
***
The next day, the Chicago Tribune apparently ran the "official" announcement of Col. Morgenthaler's decision to run in IL-06. Morgenthaler states that she believes "health care, the war and immigration are the  most important issues to voters in the 6th District". I wonder what she plans to do with the "one of these things is not like the other" issue of immigration. Still wondering.

More after the jump...

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A Progressive National Agenda

by: Gary Kleppe

Fri Oct 26, 2007 at 08:42:41 AM CDT

(Crossposted from O:TDB's blog)

A coalition of progressive organizations has put together a Progressive Agenda for candidates for President and Congress. This agenda is pasted below the fold.

Questions for discussion:

1) Is this a good platform for our federal office candidates to adopt? If not, what would you change?

2) How can we get our federal candidates to sign on?

3) Could we come up with something similar at the state or county level?

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Bush Problems Put Rural America in play in 2008

by: bored now

Mon Jun 11, 2007 at 09:34:20 AM CDT

( - promoted by EricV)

the center for rural strategies released their most recent poll today, with findings that democrats have slightly improved democratic chances in rural america.  "The study indicates that negative views about the Bush administration, the war in Iraq, and the economy are eroding the Republican party's rural base."

this *could* be good news for democrats here in illinois -- if they are resolved to take some of these seats from republicans.  more importantly, it hints at the possibility of once red states turning purple.  "Among the findings of the Rural Strategies poll are: Rural voters deliver a narrow plurality to a generic Democratic candidate for President: 46 - 43 percent." 

in the 2006 election, "rural America split nearly evenly between the parties in congressional races (51 percent for Republican candidates, 48 percent Democratic candidates), [PDF]" according to the VNS exit survey results of self-ascribed rural voters.  but illinois democrats did not benefit from this, except in il-17.  the nomination of weak candidates, or the running of mis-directed campaigns, kept democrats from benefiting from this surge in rural support for democrats in general.

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Operation: Turn DuPage Blue

by: Gary Kleppe

Sun Jun 10, 2007 at 10:47:12 AM CDT

A response from Amy of O:TDB, who reminds Michael that there is no "r" in her name. :)

Operation: Turn DuPage Blue is thrilled at the movement that is going on here in DuPage. Tension is a result of any transformational process (a necessity, in fact) and OTDB is part of the transformational process in DuPage democracy so it's no surprise the two are being associated. Democrats of all stripes all over DuPage are working together, challenging each other, and regrouping in an effort to — like rocks in one of those noisy polishers — bring out our best qualities as well as toughen up for the task ahead.

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IL-14: Stein(D-IL) - "Pollute Less? Pay Less."

by: potus2020

Tue Jun 05, 2007 at 12:09:36 PM CDT

( - promoted by michael in chicago)

"If we don't fix global warming now, there may not be any America as we know it left. There may not be hospitable places left for our children and our grandchildren to live." - Jotham Stein, (D-IL).

Americans have come to the consensus that man-made pollution is causing the gradual warming of our global climate. Such changes to our atmosphere will be catastrophic if we do nothing about them. Rising temperatures cause ice caps in the Arctic to melt making sea levels rise and strengthening the size and speed of major storms and hurricanes. At its worst, global warming could eventually lead to drought, flooding, famine, mass migration and eventually war... or worse. I don't know about you, but that's not exactly how I'd imagined living out my retirement.

Politicians in D.C. seem to have caught on to the fact that Americans are aware of what's happening to our environment and what's causing it. They've met our concern and awareness with a lot of talk, but very little action. Jotham Stein wants to change that and as the next congressman of Illinois' 14th district, he will.

Jotham Stein is a business and employment attorney from St. Charles, IL who negotiates fast-paced business deals for high-tech industries. He is running for the U.S. Congress in the 14th district of Illinois, the seat currently occupied by former Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert. He will face possibly four challengers in the Democratic primary next February. Jotham believes that global warming presents our nation with an opportunity to regain our moral authority in the world while creating jobs, ending our oil addiction and cleaning up our environment. Jotham Stein has a 10-point plan to stop global warming and one of his priorities is to make it easier for people to buy fuel-efficient vehicles. Take the jump to learn more...

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Wedge Politics and How Republicans Work

by: bored now

Sat Jun 02, 2007 at 19:15:38 PM CDT

first in a series

i am a voracious consumer of data.  it's partly because i am a scientist, partly because i am innately curious, and partly because i am driven to understand the things in which i am interested.  i wish i was interested in simple, or simplistic, things.

so when i saw this report that argues that republicans are happier than democrats, i had to take note.  i'm interested in the differences between republicans and democrats, for a lot of reasons.  i live in a mixed household (liberal democrat and a democrat turned republican turned independent), but also because i was utterly dismayed that the anti-war forces in this country were so disorganized that they didn't even factor in to bush's decision to invade iraq.  this has been a constant theme over the last four years.

one of the things effected by this conclusion is wedge politics.  hold on, we're in for a ride.  if i don't make this abundantly clear, then let me know.

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Forthcoming Congressional Elections

by: bored now

Fri May 25, 2007 at 12:50:02 PM CDT

( - promoted by michael in chicago)

i participated in a one hour and forty minute conference call -- people who know me know how much i hate conference calls, but -- with more than two dozen political groups and a representative from the dccc this morning.  the subject was the beginnings of the 2008 congressional cycle.

one of the reasons (i think) i was asked to participate was because i've been bitching furiously with east coast contacts about the illinois cycle moving up the primary to february 5, and how that meant that some of these groups need to be ready to endorse early, at least in illinois.

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Remembering Tony Blair

by: bored now

Thu May 10, 2007 at 20:59:48 PM CDT

it's been 10 years since i was brought over to britain to run four constituencies (electoral districts) for "new labour" and tony blair.  i took the job with the campaign because they would allow me to implement my high tech campaign ideas that the dole presidential campaign wouldn't.

tony blair and peter mandelson, new labour's campaign manager (as we'd call him and my boss), were keen to incorporate new campaign technology, including the internet, into their appeal.  as part of their effort to redefine the labour party, they wanted not only to mobilize people who they hadn't reached in years, but they wanted some of the excitement people then associated with the net.

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Got Public Office? Here's some open seats.

by: Kankakee Voice

Wed Mar 07, 2007 at 10:32:11 AM CST

From Phil Huckelberry, phone: 309-268-9974, email: phil.huckelberry@gmail.com: It turns out that Carol Larson is not only running unopposed for Oak Lawn-Hometown School Board, she's actually one of two candidates on the ballot for three seats. That third seat I'm calling an "empty election".
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Ilana: The 50th Ward's Queen of Mean

by: bridgetdooley

Thu Feb 15, 2007 at 22:06:26 PM CST


I had a fabulous day yesterday, best day I've had in a long time, as a matter of fact. It was sunny, not too cold and it was Valentine's Day - le Jour d'Amour. However, I can't say I was feeling any love from Alderman Bernard Stone's daughter and Chief of Staff, Ilana Stone Feketitsch.

A little background before I move on to the fun stuff...

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More Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Emails - Aldermanic Endorsements

by: JCCPA

Tue Feb 13, 2007 at 09:04:04 AM CST

I got another e-mail from the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce with their list of endorsements.  Surprise surpise, they are not endorsing Joe Moore, and they endorsed my own worthless alderman, Ted "need a zoning change?" Matlak.  First the email:
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Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce shennangins

by: JCCPA

Wed Feb 07, 2007 at 17:02:18 PM CST

Got more email from the CCC today.  The CCC is still trying really hard to influence the upcoming election by blunting the Union vote.  Roper's email message is below.
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Tuesday Open Thread -- What Does It Mean?

by: bored now

Tue Nov 14, 2006 at 07:08:29 AM CST

the elections, of course! 

sunday, my wife's family had a celebration dinner, to toast the general election results in congress.  it was very interesting, because i am the political pro, and i did very little talking!  who knew?  but that prompts these questions:

what does the election results mean for democrats?  what does it mean for 2008?  what does it mean for the country?  illinois?  cook county?  dupage?  kane?  will?  springfield?  chicago?  you get the idea.

just as importantly, how do *you* feel about it?  is this the end, the beginning or just the middle of your own interest (and, hopefully, activism) in electoral politics?

Discuss :: (6 Comments)

IL Governor Open Thread

by: bored now

Mon Nov 13, 2006 at 08:28:05 AM CST

campaigns are about strategy but they are also about the terrain upon which they operate.  it?s important to understand the context of a campaign, or the decisive influences that generally determine its outcome.  lee atwater, borrowing heavily from sun tzu, argued that five things generally determine the outcome of a campaign:

1. The Candidate
2. Money
3. The (mostly political) Environment or Structural Situation
4. The Local Climate
5. Consultants/Organization

these factors are not in any order.  each campaign is different, and the decisive element will be different from campaign to campaign.

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Election Post-Mortem

by: bored now

Wed Nov 08, 2006 at 16:22:51 PM CST

Campaigns & elections hew to some pretty straight forward "fundamentals:" money, message and mobilization (or organization).  I've personally made it a practice to write out a post-campaign "message box" from which it is generally obvious who won and why.  But post-election analyses are key to understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your campaign, especially it's strategy and tactics.

Use this as an open thread to analyze or make observations about Illinois campaigns.  What did they do right?  What did they do wrong?  What would have been better?  What did you learn this year?  What could you do better (if you were the campaign strategist)?

Discuss :: (6 Comments)

In Defense of Rahm...

by: bored now

Wed Nov 08, 2006 at 16:03:43 PM CST

it must be my month to notice the wayward notions of my progressive friends.  i'd reiterate up front that whenever i speak out against the emergent conventional wisdom, it's never appreciated.  cie la vie.

first of all, congratulations to all the winners out there the day after the election!  that goes to the thousands and thousands of progressives who got out there and worked for their favorite candidates (win or lose).  democrats are winners for that -- we've increased the activist base and gained valuable experience regardless of their campaign's results.

let's be absolutely clear here, i'm no friend of rahm.  i've talked to him once, and it wasn't exactly a friendly conversation.  but rahm did a great job as the head of the dccc.  here's why:

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Early voting fun in Chicago

by: lgriffin99

Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 17:01:59 PM CDT

(great piece and perfect for the site - promoted by wjmaggos)

Although the “temporary” (read: indefinite) closing of the Washington Street leg of the Pedway deterred me, I bundled up and hiked over to the Cook County Administration Building yesterday to vote. (For some odd reason, my initial attempt to register to vote when I got my new Illinois driver’s license didn’t “stick” as they had no record of me when I tried to find out if I was registered to vote. Fortunately, there was a “grace period” that ended yesterday allowing voters to register and vote “early” even if they missed the usual cut-off. Score one for voter enfranchisement.)

Voting, for me, is sort of a thrill. When I was in high school, I looked forward to my first opportunity to vote more than I did to the other rites of passage such as buying cigarettes (I still don’t think I’ve ever bought a pack), lottery tickets (never bought one of those either), legalized gambling (nope), credit cards (too many), and so on. In college, I finally got to cast my first ballot in a presidential election, absentee. Later, in New York, I waited in a long line to vote for John Kerry and John Edwards. Like everyone else, the long lines and the early exit polls made me think we might effectively be rid of Mr. Bush by the end of that day. Not so much. Disappointment is a lesson you learn soon after you cast your first (losing) vote.

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Stop tha hatin', don't be a groupie, keep it movin'

by: bridgetdooley

Mon Oct 23, 2006 at 14:18:10 PM CDT

Crossposted from Bridget in the Sixth.

I'm prompted to write this in response to a comment made on my blog in response to my commentary on Peter Roskam's racist ads. A poster wrote, "the only good Roskam is a dead Roskam"...and the alarm bells went off.

I am not at all a fan of Peter Roskam's. I do not agree with his stance on the issues. I think his personal and legislative history shows him to be someone with a rather dishonorable past. I do not want him to be my Congressman. In fact, I'd rather that he not be in government at all.

But never in a million years would I be happy about it if Peter Roskam was to drop dead tomorrow. Never in a million years would I rejoice in a family's tragedy and a young life cut short. Never would I wish for someone to die because I deemed their choices in life to be wrong.

NEVER.

More...

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