MyDD :: Hyde to Retire

Hyde to Retire

by fng, Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 03:14:11 PM EST

Yes, Cegelis is, or at least should be, the Democratic candidate. Here is her website. When Hyde announces his retirement, in a special election the lefty blogosphere will swarm to support her at a level even Chandler and Herseth would not recognize--Chris

We may not need redistricting to get rid of Henry Hyde after all. The Chicago Sun tells me today that:

"In a few weeks, Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.), the chairman of the House International Relations Committee who as Judiciary Committee chief wielded the gavel during President Clinton's impeachment, will announce that he will not seek another term."

I think this is good news for Dems in the House simply because such an ascerbic partisan will be gone.

I worry, knowing much more about Maryland (adopted home) and West Virginia (growing up home), that there are just as ascerbic candidates waiting in the IL wings to take his place.

What are the demographics in the district? Who are the Democratic contenders for the seat? How much money will it take? What are Democratic county parties like in that part of the world?

Chime on in folks...

Tags: (all tags)

Permalink :: 59 Comments :: Post a Comment

Christine Cegelis... (none / 0)

...and damn I wish I had more time to type this out. She did a bang-up job in 2004 having raised little money.

I am from near the district, and can attest to the fact that her ground organization was solid. She worked the DFAs and they fell in line behind her. What she accomplished was amazing.

Oh yeah, what did she accomplish?

She pulled 44%, plus, of the vote. That's more than anyone has against Henry Hyde in a long long time. What's interesting, is that 44% is more than Melissa Bean got against Phil Crane the first time she ran against him, before she beat him in 2004.

Wow, typed that in one minute. Gotta run. Sorry if there are spelling/grammar errors.

http://www.cegelisforcongress.com

Tim

by Tim Tagaris on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 11:43:51 AM EST

Re: Christine Cegelis... (none / 0)

Thanks Tim. Here's what Cegelis says about herself on her campaign website:

Christine Cegelis is a single mom with two sons in college, who raised her family in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. She is not a millionaire who can buy herself a seat in congress - instead she is a woman who understands the needs of families, individuals, and the business community.

In 2004 Christine received 44.2% of the vote against Henry Hyde, the sixteen term conservative icon from Wood Dale, who will be 82 years old during the 2006 election.

Christine is a successful businesswoman who worked her way through college as a hotel desk clerk. In 1976 she earned her Bachelor's Degree from Florida State University in International Relations and Public Administration, and Christine was one of the few, select women trained in the field of Information Technology for a major airline. In 1986 she moved to Illinois to continue her work in the IT industry, and then opened her own IT consulting firm working with Fortune 100 clients in sales and marketing. In September of 2003 she decided to run for Congress, won the Democratic primary, and finally quit her job so she could campaign full time.

No blog yet, but I'm guessing there are SwingStaters in Illinois that would jump on this candidate. 44.2% against a 16-term incumbent while only spending $200k...not too shabby.

"into your illusion, i make my intrusion"

by fng on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 11:51:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

the whole blog thing (none / 0)

I really don't hold it against her that she doesn't have a blog. Because instead of asking us to come to her, she comes to us.

by blogswarm on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 11:55:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: the whole blog thing (none / 0)

Yeah, yeah. Not a rap, just something you all have me looking for now when I get to a candidate site.

"into your illusion, i make my intrusion"

by fng on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 12:02:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: the whole blog thing (none / 0)

I agree. Hopefully she'll have a strong blog soon.

by blogswarm on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 12:23:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: the whole blog thing (none / 0)

She will.

It is being worked on right now.

Tim

by Tim Tagaris on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 04:08:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: the whole blog thing (none / 0)

I thought you might pop in here sometime. Good to hear.

"into your illusion, i make my intrusion"

by fng on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 04:09:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: the whole blog thing (none / 0)

Funny, I seem to remember something about the importance of a strong blog being mentioned lately...
;-)

Witty comment goes here...

by michael in chicago on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 08:44:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: the whole blog thing (none / 0)

btw, I was wholy impressed with you and Rick last night. While I am admittedly weak on the tech side of the house, I normally never stop talking when a conversation about anything online is taking place.

That said, I think Christine's team is going to do some tremendous things online during the 2006 cycle, or 2005. Whatever the case is.

Tim

by Tim Tagaris on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 09:02:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: the whole blog thing (none / 0)

Thanks greatly. I have strong feelings about blogs and branding of candidates. My thoughts on branding were expressed less elloquently last night than below.

My thoughts on blogs remain equally as strong. Too often they are seen as a secondary community building extra. I see them as a candidate's PR arm and open source press room/war room rolled into one. They drive the candidate's positions into the media, requiring the media to respond to the candidate's position, rather than the other way around.

They are a way to converse with your supporters, and explain yourself to those who stop by and lurk. I can go to a site and read all I want. If a candidate or campaign talks to me, I will return. If a campaign shows it it active and responsive to what is going on in the community, I will be back often. If I come back often, I will buy into the campaign. Once I buy in, I will act. Once I act, I will donate, advocate, recruit, and defuse the other side's attacks.

They are also a way to get the facts out about a candidate and the opposition. Post something that was quoted incorrectly on your blog, and look for the LTE's the next week in the paper.

They are more than just a nice feature of a blog. They are essential to building not only your base, but your public relations plan.

I'm just an average guy who watched the Bears lose every Sunday until a couple years ago. Now I'm heavily involved not only in the Dean campaign that got me started, but in multiple campaigns. And I've stayed active.

Not because of a simple easy to navigate website that was easy to find information on. But because a campaign spoke to me and offered me a way to be a part of it. This is what a blog can do for a campaign.

So much in my brain now... Must sum up in a post to come.

Witty comment goes here...

by michael in chicago on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 09:29:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: the whole blog thing (none / 0)

She had a Blog up last year but it is now down. I think she is reworking her website.

by Delver Rootnose on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 03:37:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Why you run those "hopeless" races (3.00 / 1)

This right here is why you do it. Because now this woman has credibility for a run once Hyde is out of the road.

This is one more example of why we can't let seats go uncontested.

by jcjcjc on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 12:16:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Do you want one more example? (none / 0)

Cantor in Virginia. He's just entered a world of pain, but we didn't even bother to run to somebody against him last time.

by blogswarm on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 12:25:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

It will look bad when we run (none / 0)

Because it looks like what it is: opportunism rather than activism.

Then the VA locals sit there and ask, "Who the hell is this schmuck? What's a Democrat?"

On the other hand, these folks in IL will get a chance to go, "You know, I liked her. Maybe we should giver HER a chance."

And the GOPer is the schmuck who nobody knows.

The whole system has cascading failures built-in when you don't oppose candidates.

by jcjcjc on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 01:00:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Do you want one more example? (none / 0)

Or how about Morrison against DeLay? DeLay will either resign or go into next year's election with some real issues over his head.

by ortcutt on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 04:59:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

DeLay can't resign (none / 0)

He and the GOP are riding a tiger.

by jcjcjc on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 11:17:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Illinois Congressional District 6 (none / 0)

The district is mostly in DuPage County which has traditionally been staunchly Republican. But things have been changing recently. People who've lived in the area tell me that ten years ago, the democrats didn't even field candidates here, but now they are making a spirited contest in local elections.

Also, the state republican party is an absolute joke! The State Treasurer is the only statewide elected office that they control.

Given these circumstances, I definitely think DNC should target this seat.

by bushsucks on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 11:52:13 AM EST

Re: Illinois Congressional District 6 (none / 0)

You're dead right. This is going to be a very hotly contested seat...but I predict only for the Democratic primary. The Republicans do not, I believe, have a chance in hell of retaining this seat, and for the exact reason you mention: the Illinois Republican Party is in ruins.

Hyde will doubtless campaign for his GOP replacement, but it won't do any good. They have no credibility, no base and no momentum.

by Cyberactor on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 03:30:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Illinois Congressional District 6 (none / 0)

I don't know how much at 82 years old Hyde will campaign and he may be appointed Amb to the Vatican. Although from what I read it sounds like there are a couple of Republican State Senators interested in the job. I have no idea how well known they are but I know in California a state senate seat is a good springboard to Congress. It will be a hard fight, we have every ability to win and I do think its one of those districts that once we win it it becomes safer and safer every two years and the suburban trend toward the Dems becomes complete. You see it in the suburbs of other big cities that went from reliably Repub to Dem in NYC and LA.

by Bothwell on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 06:29:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Illinois Congressional District 6 (none / 0)

Be careful with that...It could lead us into trouble. We need to act like the Illinois GOP is the strongest party in all 50 states and attack and campaign like they are. If we do, then they stand no chance.

There are a few scary GOPers in Illinois. Birkett is making a Governor run supposedly along with Topenka. I despise a crook like Birkett, but he has that slick lawyer thing going for him. Of course Blago has it too and has a LOT of money. I think Topenka is his biggest threat right now... Of course with all the infighting between the Chicago Dems such as Blago, Daley and Madigan, a lot of damage could be done.

Watch out for Tom Cross and turn Illinois. It is a very Delay type site and I bet money if we lost the house and senate he would be proposing redistricting within the first week. He is making an effort to get GOPers into the local positions and groom. He is turning some of the non-partisan races such as the Aurora (second largest city in illinois after Chicago) mayors race into a very partisan event... The speculation is that Irvin, the "non-partisan" GOP candidate is being groomed to run for Sec of State or Governor someday.

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!

by yitbos96bb on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 10:34:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Illinois Congressional District 6 (none / 0)

This is my district, where I live and where I grew up. I'm actually from Wood Dale, Hyde's town. The place has changed greatly. It is trending Democratic and if the trend continues may actually have as many registered Dems as GOP in 4-5 years.

Hyde is a fixture, with huge name recognition. Every knows who he is. I knew who he was growing up. This is devestating to any challenger. Christine earned 44% of the vote while being greatly outspent. She has great grassroots support in the area. If she would get national backing from us in the Blogosphere and the national party, I think she could take this seat.

A run against Hyde in my opinion is doable. Without Hyde in the picture, this is a very winable race.

Witty comment goes here...

by michael in chicago on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 08:49:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Illinois Congressional District 6 (none / 0)

Add to the fact that many voters who aren't strongly partisan are reluctant to vote out power players who bring lots of money to their areas. Hyde does this, so does Hastert... I agree with Michael though...with Hyde gone, this is very winnable. We should start writing to the papers once Hyde announces his retirement and mention about Christine. Start now and keep plugging her qualities. Also try to figure out who the GOP candidates will be and start finding out dirt such as vote records etc. Let's sink the strongest candidates before they leave the dock.

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!

by yitbos96bb on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 10:42:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

website for the county (none / 0)

http://www.lakedemocrats.org/dupage/

IMO, the website needs some work. But at least there is one...

by rebirha on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 11:55:52 AM EST

Re: website for the county (none / 0)

Some work yeah, but after a quick glance I like there mission statement and they have a good amount of contact information for County Party officials.

"The Democratic Party of DuPage County is dedicated to the education of all so they may become good citizens, employ their talents for the purpose of supporting their families and community, live in a safe, clean and healthy environment, and retire in dignity. We believe in the Constitution of the United States of America, especially as it pertains to Freedom, Liberty and Justice.

"into your illusion, i make my intrusion"

by fng on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 12:04:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: website for the county (none / 0)

Just for comparison's sake, check out the DuPage GOP website. Visually, one can tell that a design team took care in creating it.

http://www.dupagegophq.com/

I'm not the type to advocate doing what the Repubs simply because they do it, but I do advocate doing something right.

by rebirha on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 02:41:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The District (none / 0)

I read a decent political science paper on this district about 2 years back and the demographics are favorable for a Moderate Democratic Woman with a business background. The District is North of O'Hara for those of you who know the landscape either by flying over or as a freeway fly by sight seer. It is Bedroom Chicago and light industry and business. Largest ethnic group is 2nd generation Polish.

Whoever runs there needs solid fundamentals -- a well worked out position on all things educational, an understanding of transit -- both rail and highway, and because of O'Hara -- the Airline Industry. As an open seat and with a solid campaign, it would be very winable.

by Sara on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 03:39:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The District (none / 0)

It's O'Hare, not O'hara and CD 6 represents the people who live by O'hare. Also Personally, i would say that the majority of the district lives west or north west of O'hare, not directly north.

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!

by yitbos96bb on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 10:55:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: website for the county (none / 0)

If you won't advocate the importance of design, than I will. Branding and design as often overlooked and seen as nothing more than extra fluff. This is very wrong, and not just because I'm a designer.

A candidate's logo is their brand. Brand awareness is just as important in politics as in advertising. If a candidate uses a weak logo with typical type, poorly kerned and leaded, it is a reflection on that candidate like it or not. People today are much more aesthetically aware than 10 years ago. They notice a professional look (GOP site) vs. an amateur look (Dem site) whether or not they can point out the design reasons for it.

Now extrapolate the use of the brand across multiple platforms. Your potential voters and donor base will see your brand more than they will likely see you. They will see it on your signage, your literature, your advertisements, your banners, and everything you put your name one. Your logo or website is a visual representation of who your are, both in position and in personality. It is what you represent from you views to your work ethic.

Use it consistently in the same font, same color, same professionally coordinated way and your brand becomes not only familiar, but comforting in its consistency. It is known. There are no surprises. Your brand, and you by extension, are safe, steady and consistent. People vote for that.

In comparison, use your brand inconsistently, poorly, in different fonts or with mismatched colors, in ways that don't make sense or look like you paid you sister's kid brother to do your palm cards, and while you'll have saved a buck or two, your brand and thereby you as a candidate will look inconsistent. As a candidate you then look less reliable, inconsistent, and more of an unknown quantity.

People donate and support organizations and candidates who are consistent in person and who's image is consistent as well.

As a company or a candidate, the need to differentiate yourself from your competition is key in gaining market share. Branding through competent design is critical to one's success. The GOP understand this. We don't. This frustrates me to no end.

Witty comment goes here...

by michael in chicago on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 09:07:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: website for the county (none / 0)

If you won't advocate the importance of design, than I will. Branding and design as often overlooked and seen as nothing more than extra fluff. This is very wrong, and not just because I'm a designer.

Just to clarify:

I do advocate the importance of design. That's what I was intending to say. Also, my intent was to distinguish from doing something simply as reaction to GOP.

By "doing it right," a design that takes into consideration all the aspects you highlight is a necessity. But doing something right must be th reason, not just because somebody else does it.

by rebirha on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 03:25:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: website for the county (none / 0)

I got your point. I was just expanding upon it. I appreciate your calling attention to the contrast in the two websites.

Witty comment goes here...

by michael in chicago on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 07:48:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: website for the county (none / 0)

Just checked the website this morning, and perhaps someone is watching this discussion? Instead of the white background, they now have an american flag background. If someone is reading this thread, you're moving in the right direction!

by rebirha on Thu Mar 17, 2005 at 08:45:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: website for the county (none / 0)

Remember though, Dems in Dupage County are a growing movement. At one point, Dupage was labeled as THE most republican county in the country (or so they bragged). I used to live there and in 92 and 96 we were the ONLY house in our neighborhood with Clinton signs.

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!

by yitbos96bb on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 10:44:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Is she a populist? (3.00 / 1)

I donated to both Christine Cegelis and Melissa Bean last time around, and was VERY disappointed to see bean on the NDN letter endorsing the Bankruptcy Bill. Cegelis' bio suggests she would not support such a bill, but I have vowed next cycle to be more careful to check candidates' views on economic issues and not just suport them because they are pro-choice Dems.

Anyone know Cegelis' views? I just got a new solicitation from her.

BTW, is dailyKos down? Or has he moved?

by Mimikatz on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 01:22:05 PM EST

Re: Is she a populist? (none / 0)

I've talked with Cegelis a number of times.

I dealt with Bean's campaign only a little. Bean ran as a pro-business suburban Democrat. It's who she is.

Cegelis is a progressive Catholic. She's also an IT professional very concerned about losing jobs overseas. I would be more than a little surprised if Cegelis' voting record was a problem for progressives.

Rrrinnggg... Time to change the government.

by Carl Nyberg on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 02:27:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Is she a populist? (none / 0)

Even though Bean voted for the bankruptcy bill, I still would rather have her than Crane ANYDAY of the week.

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!

by yitbos96bb on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 10:57:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Is she a populist? (none / 0)

No argument from me.

My read of the two is that Cegelis will be more "progressive".

Rrrinnggg... Time to change the government.

by Carl Nyberg on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 01:33:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Kos (none / 0)

I haven't been able to get on dKos today either.

by rebirha on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 02:34:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

They are having DNS problems (none / 0)

I can get to them, but many people can't.

by Geotpf on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 06:18:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: They are having DNS problems (none / 0)

The direct address of Kos is 69.9.161.200

by freelunch on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 09:02:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Is she a populist? (none / 0)

Christine's definitely a populist. She's having a fundraiser tonight in downtown Chicago and she personally called each of her contributors to invite them. Must have taken some time, but it was pretty damn impressive.
She was also one of the Dean Dozen, so that says something about her progressive credentials.
The fact that she got 44% of the vote and this wasn't a top tier race also speaks to her organizational strength. If the party had contributed some money, it might have been very close.
She never stopped running for this seat and her energy and commitment make her well-positioned.

by ChgoSteve on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 03:53:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Is she a populist? (none / 0)

We need to find someone like her to run against Biggert. Could you imagine taking Hyde's seat, Biggert's seat and possibly Hastert's seat? Talk about a blow to the party in Illinois.

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!

by yitbos96bb on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 10:59:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Is she a populist? (none / 0)

Well think big. We've all been talking about running a candidate in as many seats as possible, and Cegelis appears to be a perfect example of why it's a good idea. Who are the other rising Dems?

"into your illusion, i make my intrusion"

by fng on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 11:05:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Illinois Congressional District 6 (none / 0)

I grew up in Chicago, but it's been 8 years since I moved out west to California.

DuPage County has traditionally been the Orange County of Illinois. Very wealthy, very suburban, and very Republican. Kane County (DuPage's county to the West) is represented by Dennis Hastert -- get the picture?

But I agree. Just like Orange County, things are changing in DuPage County. After all, didn't we knock off Phil Crane in the last election??

If the Illinois Republican Party had to rely on Alan Keyes as their Senatorial candidate, you know they are in serious shambles.

I'm so proud of my home state. It's getting bluer every day!

by Paul Hogarth on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 03:44:15 PM EST

Re: Illinois Congressional District 6 (none / 0)

Speaking of Keyes, can we get him to run for this seat?

Things You Don't Talk About in Polite Company: Religion, Politics, the Occasional Intersection of Both

by Anthony de Jesus on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 12:18:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Illinois Congressional District 6 (none / 0)

No, sorry, we're trying to get him to run for the Senate in Maryland again.

by craverguy on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 01:24:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Illinois Congressional District 6 (none / 0)

BOO!!! I want to get him to run for Governor in Illinois. I think he can win....ROTFLMAO!!!

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!

by yitbos96bb on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 11:00:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Great News! (none / 0)

I live in Evanston so I'm certainly miles away from Hyde-land but the 6th is getting progressively bluer every cycle. Remember, DuPage County gave Barry Goldwater one of the largest majorities for any county in America. It was, as others have mentioned, the Orange County of Illinois. But it has changed significantly over the last 20 years. It has a large Mexican population and a large 2nd-generation Polish population. I believe Bush only won DuPage with about 53% this time. The reason Hyde won for so long is the same reason guys like Stenholm did so well for so long in West Texas - they are reliable and they have super name recognition. But when the incumbent retires, or the district lines change, then all bets are off. I see this as a great pickup opportunity for the Dems.

by elrod on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 03:52:51 PM EST

Re: Great News! (none / 0)

Yeah I checked it against Orange County this past election and the resemblance has definitely faded, politically at least. While Orange County gave Bush 60%, DuPage gave him roughly 54%. DuPage looks more like San Diego County, if we're comparing SoCal counties. Bush got 53% there and its a county that Democrats have won from time to time and one that is trending ever more slightly Dem every year. I believe Boxer actually won SD County this time around and I know Davis won it back in '98.

by Bothwell on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 07:29:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Great News! (none / 0)

I have a feeling many in CD 6 are looking for an excuse to not vote for him...which is hard cause he brings a LOT of money to that district. With him gone, I think the Dems take this seat.

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!

by yitbos96bb on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 11:02:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Best news all year! (none / 0)

After Howard Dean becoming Chairman.

The 6th has a large number of un- and under-employed IT people. It was the Silicon Prarie and was devastated. Christine Cegelis comes from the IT world and knows the problems.

And I forgot about an appointment with her campaign manager yesterday. Patrick, please forgive me. I want to help get Streamwood Blue again.

by antiHyde on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 05:19:27 PM EST

Using 2000 results with current districts (none / 0)

The Illinois 6th voted 53.2% for Bush, 43.7% for Gore, and 2.4% for Nader.
So Christine Cegelis 44.2% against a 16-term incumbent while only spending $200k, so in 2006 she could have a very good shot of winning, since she outperformed Gore's 2000 numbers while getting vastly outspent against a 16th term incumbent with all the advantages.

Councilman Bill Painter

by Painter2004 on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 06:36:33 PM EST

Christine Can Win (none / 0)

Christine Cegelis ran a good, strong, clean campaign that showed admirably well for a first campaign when she ran against Hyde in 2004.

She can beat a Republican replacement candidate.

She's not a political operative.

I met Cegelis at the March for Women's Lives in Washington D.C. last year.

She came back to the Dean people, out of the VIP pen, in order to meet Howard Dean when he came through.

She's a real person who's had a real life.

She told me she decided to run against Henry Hyde because she was "tired of screaming at her TV."

by Patricia Taylor on Tue Mar 15, 2005 at 06:57:08 PM EST

Get out of the ECHO CHAMBER, people! (none / 0)

Now that I have your attention:

Here is the website for the NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE.

http://www.cgsniu.org/programs/programs.htm

Here one can find a ton of political, economic & demographic data for Northern Illinois. Make sure you check out "Recent Publications."

Maps. If you want maps of Illinois congressional and state legislative districts, as well as red/blue distributions, this site links to IllinoisAtlas.com:

http://www.illinoisatlas.com

There you can compare these maps:

Illinois Presidential Popular Vote by County, 2004
Illinois Presidential Popular Vote by County, 2000
Illinois Presidential Popular Vote by County, 1996
Illinois Presidential Popular Vote by County, 1992
Illinois Presidential Popular Vote by County, 1988
Illinois Presidential Popular Vote by County, 1984

Click through the political maps here:

http://www.illinoisatlas.com/illinois/political/political.htm

CHECK YOUR FACTS: ILLINOIS IS A RED STATE with a few blue splotches!

The Illinois Republican Party is NOT in shambles, people. Yes, they lost the Senate seat, and Democrats took over the governorship and other top seats. But Republicans actually gained ground in Illinois in 2004 in many ways. Many Illinois counties went from red to really-cherry-red, and several counties flipped from blue to red. We lost ground over Kerry/Bush.

by daemmern on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 10:09:19 AM EST

Re: Get out of the ECHO CHAMBER, people! (none / 0)

I agree that the GOP party is not in as bad a shape as is being said, but they are not in top form either. The map you show is really kind of pointless... Remember the majority of the population is in the upper third of the state. So the fact the bottom 2/3 is red is not important...It is like looking at a map and getting worried because all the 3 EC states vote RED. Get California and you wipe that out. Chicago is our California.

The majority of the flips from 2000 to 2004 were in the south part of the state. The City remains SOLID blue, which is the most important area, and the Burbs are really swings in either direction at this point.

Illinois is FAR from a red state in political climate, it is definately a blue state. I would not call it a liberal state by any means...I would say outside of the city in the chicago burbs, you have a few cells of conservatives but mostly it is moderate voters who swing one way or the other. In each election this will happen, and I doubt any party will get a strong edge. The south part of the state is red, and increasingly going that way outside of the colleges, but even then, the population is trumped by the City of Chicago. A neo-con statewide candidate will not win in this state. George Ryan and Jim Edgar were moderate republicans. This is one of the reasons Jim Ryan lost to Blago in 2002 and why an Oberwies or a Birkett will be beated in 2006 unless major scandal breaks, in which case all bets are off. Topenka is the only one I think who has a shot at beating Blago at this point.

Sorry, I reject your view of the state. I think you have incorrectly interpreted the data from those maps. That's cool. I personally think we need to run our campaigns like the GOP has an advantage and hit them as hard as they can. They are down right now...don't take mercy but push them down and keep kicking sand in their faces.

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!

by yitbos96bb on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 11:35:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]

But you are forgetting (none / 0)

that STATE and LOCAL government exists.

I think it is idiocy to say to the Democrats outside of Chicago, "Fuck you, you don't matter," especially as, one by one, those blue counties flip to red.

You're forgetting the necessity to control, not only enough votes to win the electoral votes of Illinois, but also the total popular vote -- and natural and logistical resources across the state.

State government is incredibly important in all sorts of ways. State government creates laws, too, that have enormous impact upon citizens.

You are also forgetting about the judiciary. We need Democrats on the bench across the whole state -- not just in Cook County. State appellate courts outside of Cook County, have to elect judges of their own districts. The Illinois Supreme Court cannot be chosen all from Chicago!

We need strong Democratic county central committees across the entire state of Illinois. Outside of Chicago, the county parties are in shambles.

Bush jetted into Madison County, near East St. Louis, for a reason. County-by-county, they are picking Illinois off.

Do you not realize that Illinois is the home of Dennis Hastert? Are you aware that many state Democrats vote as conservatively as Republicans, if not more so? Take Roe v Wade away, and Illinois has a law on the books outlawing abortion.

It is foolish to concentrate all Democratic hopes and resources on Chicago, while ignoring the rest of the state. The negligence of the Democratic Party is allowing the lower-income central and southern parts of the state go red, because no "Blues" seem to care about it!

by daemmern on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 09:41:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Get out of the ECHO CHAMBER, people! (none / 0)

You said, "unless a major scandal breaks..."

Is not Illinois the LAND OF SCANDAL? Illinois is famous for brute-force, cut-throat politics. The Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times LIVE for scandal! As we saw with Jack Ryan, all it takes is one boo-boo to set an empire crumbling.

To prevent "accidents," one must have a strong structure of county parties all across the state.

by daemmern on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 09:45:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

BUt he was "youthful" in his 40s (none / 0)

THat means he's only barely into middle age!!! How could he retire???

by DrFrankLives on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 11:08:55 AM EST

A disappointment (none / 0)

I'm sad to see Hyde go.

That is a very Republican district, and it would have far more plausible to turn it with a battered old windbag of an incumbent like Henry Hyde running for re-election for the 535th time (ala Phil Crane) than with a new candidate who is more likely to receive the benefits of the district's natural Republican leanings.

It's still a race that should be watched, but in reality, the chances of stealing that one from the Republicans just dropped dramatically.

by Politicalhack06 on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 03:27:08 PM EST

Hyde to Retire (none / 0)

I think the 6th is far more win-able for a Democrat than people think, especially if Hyde stays in or an equally religiously conservative (and extreme) Republican runs. While many Republicans in the area are a wing of the religious right (i.e. Wheaton), many republicans in the area are not and are simply Republicans in name. Many are simply moderate libertarian types against government waste and control (let us not forget the waste of the Clinton Impeachment run by Mr. Hyde) and many of those "republicans" are not happy with the new religious right that has been controlling the party (We need not go further than the "right to die" battle in Congress today). And many more are not happy with the war in Iraq and the effects on our economy.

I hope the Democrats can get a few viable candidates to the table to bring some attention to the District, and fast. I grew up in the area and hope that the DNCC and the DNC realize that its a viable spot to win. I would hate to see an opportunity go to waste.

by shoeshine boy on Mon Mar 21, 2005 at 02:13:23 AM EST

You are not logged in.

In order to post a comment, you must be logged in. If you have a member account, please log in to comment.

If not, you can make an account right here. It's quick and free.