Call It A Comeback
"Rx: Prescription for Our Future– Lunch with Dr. David Gill" Congressional Candidate, IL 15th District
Sunday, October 5, 2003
Noon- 3PM
At Elks Lodge- Clinton, IL
$10 Adults, $5 Children under 10 (ages 3 & under free)… pork BBQ and many side dishes
50/50 Raffle, Bake Sale, Guest speakers and much more!
Directions: Rt. 54 to 1520 E. South St. in Clinton
Sponsored by Friends of David Gill
www.davidgillforcongress.com
A quite critical column on Dan Hynes’ committment to Gay and Lesbian rights was written in the Chicago Free Press
The list of Democrats who ushered Hynes on his downstate meet-and-greet includes several anti-gay officials, including Poshard and state Sens. George Shadid (Peoria) and Gary Forby (D-Marion). These senators oppose Senate Bill 101, a law that seeks to discourage anti-gay discrimination in Illinois. Hynes chose state Sen. Vince Demuzio (D-Carlinville), another "no" vote on SB 101, as one of his campaign co-chairs.
Hynes has always voiced strong support for GLBT civil rights issues. But I can’t help but wonder this: If he’s influential enough among conservative downstate Democrats to win their support for his campaign, why is he unable to persuade them to vote for our anti-discrimination bill?
While I think the gay community has legitimate beefs with Blagojevich and legitimate policy problems with Poshard, the problem with this kind of politics is it creates a circular firing squad of the type in which the Republican Party in Illinois is participating. Policy disputes are fine, but guilt by association is a problem. Vince Demuzio isn’t my kind of Democrat, but without him, Democrats aren’t nearly as strong in Illinois as the currently are. And without a strong Democratic presence, gay rights won’t go anywhere in Illinois. The Republican Party is pulling the other way.
More fair is the following,
Following his announcement speech, Hynes told a reporter that "marriage is a union between a man and a woman." His campaign spokesperson Chris Mather later clarified for CFP that the comptroller would support a law to give same-sex couples the privileges and responsibilities of heterosexual marriage. In addition to supporting SB 101, Hynes also backs federal anti-discrimination legislation and other measures vital to GLBT civil rights advocates.
But Hynes has no legislative record to demonstrate the strength of his commitment. With his father’s help, he was elected to the statewide office of comptroller at the age of 29, without having held any prior elective office. Now at 35, he is the youngest candidate in the Senate race. His views on a host of issues remain largely untested.
There is no mention of the words "gay" or "lesbian" on Hynes’ campaign website. On the other hand, his opponent state Sen. Barack Obama (D-Chicago) proudly touts his role as a co-sponsor of SB 101 on the Internet. Candidate Blair Hull’s campaign passes out flyers featuring his support for a number of pro-GLBT policies, ranging from training educators in how to handle anti-gay discrimination in schools to legalizing same-sex civil unions.
Hynes needs to keep in mind that alienating an important section of the Democratic base can be a problem in the primary and the general. And often, in such cases as this, alienating activists happens from sins of ommission as much as anything. While the web site is still being rolled out, he has very little on the environment either.
Not sure about Mike Leavitt? Take a look at this site, which details his record as Governor.
WBUR is running a vote by platform web quiz that is quite good. It provides who you match up with on each issue area.
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1. Dan Hynes. At the head of the polls and still the nominal front runner. Has tons of organizational support with the Carpenter’s Union backing him this week. While union endorsements only go so far, and unions aren’t always as united as they may seem, 50,000 pieces of literature to union voters is nothing to squawk at.
2. Blair Hull. The money is paying off with 9 percent in the most recent poll. Creating name ID is the name of the game and he seems to be doing that while not creating huge negatives.
3. Barack Obama. A high profile state lege member shouldn’t be falling behind (even within the margin of error) a political neophyte, but he is close. Apparently not active in some neighborhoods in Chicago where he should be able to draw on an activist base.
4. Gery Chico. Still has cash and isn’t doing too badly in the polls. Still hasn’t cracked the Hispanic vote. If he can’t do that, he isn’t going anywhere.
5. Maria Pappas. New rule. To be in the top four, you have to be in the race.
6. Joyce Washington. Not bad in the poll, but still not getting any coverage or attention besides as a spoiler.
7. Nancy Skinner. Got beat in the poll. Gotta be on the radar to make a run for it.
8. Matt O’Shea. I’m quickly running out of snarky things to say here.
9. Frank Avila. I hope I have him in the right party. Bueller?
10. Estella Johnson-Hunt. I hope she has herself in the right universe.
11. Vic Roberts. Please, please let him in any debates. A quick measure of a candidate is if they can handle crackpots. Remember McCain handling Alan Keyes? He’d separate the talented from the empty suits. And when is that interview coming Eric Zorn?
FEC reports won’t be out for a couple weeks, but they could be very telling this time. Chico and Hynes have the most at stake. Chico goes low, money won’t follow. Hynes doesn’t outpace Obama and he looks weak.
1. Jack Ryan. Top of the poll even though everyone is in the margin of error. Appealing to those who aren’t even that familiar with him. Seems to have the intangible of charisma.
2. Steve Rauschenberger. Lot’s of help from Lege supporters and straddles the line between the moderate and conservatives. Continuing budget problems play to him since he is the go to guy in the Lege for the press on budget issues. Lost the beard now looks like generic Republican candidate.
3. Andrew McKenna. Still has the connections and is getting generally good press from conservatives. Many still wary of his threatened challenge to Fitzgerald.
4. Jim Oberweis. Doing all right in polling–hasn’t seemed to win over wary social conservatives.
5. John Cox. Even in second race statewide doesn’t seem to be cracking the Republican primary electorate. Then again, Oberweis hasn’t jumped out either.
6. John Borling. Maybe boring, but is registering in the polling.
7. Chirinjeev Kathuria. Still getting good press, and stood up for principle on his beard and is keeping it. Didn’t make a dent in the polls, but seems to be genuinely liked by the press. That may help later.
8. Jonathan Wright. Nothing.
9. Antonio Davis Fairman. As Marie mentioned in comments, as a runner-up prize, Illinois is looking for a poet laureate. Hopefully we’ll keep looking.
Two leaders emerge, but not by much.
On the Democratic side, Dan Hynes pulls in 10 percent to 9 for Hull, Obama with 8, Chico with 7 and Joyce Washington with 5. The big winner when everyone is at 10 or below? Hull. He is almost tied with two high profile candidates who are both office holders. His commercials and efforts are increasing name recognition which is exactly what he needs to do right now. 40 percent of the Democratic electorate is expressing a favorite candidate so there is a long way to go.
On the Republican side, Jack Ryan hits 10 percent, but you have to wonder if that is due to the Ryan name and sharing a name with a Tom Clancy hero. Ryan is doing well, but that seems a bit inflated.
On the GOP side, dairy and investment magnate Jim Oberweis received 9 percent; retired Air Force Gen. John Borling and lawyer John Cox each had 8 percent; businessman Andrew McKenna took 6 percent, and state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger received 5 percent.
I’m at a bit of loss as to how Borling is up that high, but that may well be due to the small sample size and even smaller differences. Oberweis and Cox both have high name ID so there results aren’t surprising. Despite good news from Lege endorsements, Rauschenberger still has a way to go.
As is the story lately–later tonight or early tomorrow for the Cattle Call. Sorry for the Delay.
Thanks, looks like the 50,000 hit came from Kos. Pretty amazing for being up just over a year and being largely centered on state and local politics.
ArchPundit