December 2005

More Later, but

ArchPundit December 20, 2005 33 Comments

First, Christine Cegelis and her campaign have handled the addition of another candidate with class. However, some of her supporters need a two-by-four across the head–no not all, not a majority, but some of the comments I’ve been seeing echo this claim by Dick Simpson:

“Emanuel just wants her to run because he can control her and use her in photo opportunities for the party.”

I would suggest that saying a woman helicopter pilot who has come back from amputations and is working on becoming flight certified again is entirely capable of making her own decisions about what she might do. Suggesting she is a tool of someone else is offensive.

There are plenty of legitimate issues such as policy positions or even residency that are reasonable critiques. Suggesting that Tammy Duckworth is a tool of Rahm Emanuel is just claptrap. If there is one thing she has earned is being taken seriously as Tammy Duckworth–just as Lindy Scott and Christine should be taken seriously as Lindy Scott and Christine Cegelis.

Thanks to Rich for pointing out the column again in comments.

Duckworth: On Serving in Iraq

ArchPundit December 20, 2005 1 Comment

Strangely, I ran across the bit of wingnuttery just as I was about to post this.

“One of the things I’ve been reading and people have questions is how is it that I could have not agreed with the of entering of Iraq and how could I think that was a bad decision and that was wrong and still go over in the reserves. I think what’s important to understand is that I serve as a soldier, it was my duty to answer the call of my country and I went to Iraq despite the fact that I thought it was a mistake to go there because I serve the American people and because my nation called me to go. And that’s why I went. And I did the absolute best job I possibly could every single day I was there because my commitment is to the people of the United States. And that’s why I went was commitment to duty, commitment to country. And that’s something I want to continue doing to serve the American public by representing the people of this district.”

Duckworth is a Coward?

ArchPundit December 20, 2005 8 Comments

Oh, Really?

That the reason why her (and other Iraq veterans) are running as Democrats, is because the Republican veterans re-enlisted. But, of course no one is lending an ear to the brave people who go back in because they believe in protecting our country. Have you heard any stories about the people who go back to fight? Of course not, but there’s many who have a story to tell. Trust me, it shouldn’t be a surprise that there are more Democrat Iraq veterans running for office than there are Republicans, for the very reason I wrote above. Republicans believe in this war, and keep gonig back to fight it. Democrats are cowarding over here, trying to buy votes with the “I hate Bush” mantra. However, it is always amuzing, if not irritating, to see the media focus on any “anti-Bush” B.S. than the good news of the war.

Let me repeat this bit:

That the reason why her (and other Iraq veterans) are running as Democrats, is because the Republican veterans re-enlisted. But, of course no one is lending an ear to the brave people who go back in because they believe in protecting our country.

There’s wingnuttery and then there’s this wingnuttery.

Via Michael over at Soap Box Chicago.

Duckworth: On Money

ArchPundit December 20, 2005 0 Comment

In terms of the primary, $100,000 goal plus, but catch up first and then try and move beyond that.

Spanky’s Back: Illinois Congressional Filing

ArchPundit December 20, 2005 5 Comments

Shamelessly taken from the House Race Hotline:

* IL 01: Rep. Bobby Rush (D), Phillip Jackson (D), Jason Tabour (R)

* IL 02: Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D), Robert Belin (R), Howard Schug (R), Anthony Williams (L)

* IL 03: Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D), John Kelly (D), John Sullivan (D), Arthur Jones (R), Raymond Wardingley (R)

* IL 04: Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D), Ann Melichar (R)

* IL 05: Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D), Mark Fredrickson (D), John Haptonstall (D), Kevin White (R)

* IL 06: Peter Roskam (R), Christine Cegelis (D), Tammy Duckworth (D), Lindy Scott (D)

* IL 07: Rep. Danny Davis (D), Jim Ascot (D), Robert Dallas (D), Charles Hutchinson (R)

* IL 08: Rep. Melissa Bean (D), Ken Arnold (R), Teresa Bartels (R), Robert Churchill (R), Aaron Lincoln (R), David McSweeney (R), James Mitchell (R), Kathy Salvi (R)

* IL 09: Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D), Kurt Eckhardt (R), Simon Ribeiro (R), Michael Shannon (R)

* IL 10: Rep. Mark Kirk (R), Daniel Seals (D), Zane Smith (D)

* IL 11: Rep. Jerry Weller (R), John Pavich (D)

* IL 12: Rep. Jerry Costello (D), Kenneth Wiezer (?)

* IL 13: Rep. Judy Biggert (R), Bob Hart (R), Bill Reedy (D), Joseph Shannon (D)

* IL 14: Rep. Dennis Hastert (R), John Laesch (D), Ruben Zamora (D)

* IL 15: Rep. Tim Johnson (R), David Gill (D)

* IL 16: Rep. Don Manzullo (R), Richard Auman (D)

* IL 17: Rep. Lane Evans (D), Brian Gilliland (R), Jim Mowen (R), Andrea Zinga (R)

* IL 18: Rep. Ray LaHood (R), Steve Waterworth (D)

* IL 19: Rep. John Shimkus (R), Vic Roberts (D), Danny Stover (D)

In bold are the most likely to become interesting. Other races have potential, but that will have to develop. IL-10 is arguable, but there are quality candidates for the Dems.

Duckworth Video from This Week

ArchPundit December 18, 2005 1 Comment

Crooks and Liars saves me the editing and bandwidth. I still have a bit of the interview left–it’ll be up later tonight.

Duckworth: On Abortion

ArchPundit December 18, 2005 4 Comments

“I think most people in our area of all political stripes, and mydo not believe it is the place of government to make gut wrenching personal decisions. That decision should be left to a woman and her doctor. ”

More a bit later.

Duckworth on O’Hare Expansion

ArchPundit December 18, 2005 0 Comment

“I think that…the expansion at O”Hare has already been decided at the federal level and at this point and time we need someone who can be a strong advocate for making sure we get the most benefits we possibly can. This is already happening, we need to make sure we can do the best we can to get as many things as we can, things like things like development, like jobs, like employing our trades people. At the same time, we need someone who understands mitigation procedures, environmental risk. We need to talk about noise and maintenance.”

She also noted she had flown into the airport many times and was quite familiar with the challenges involved in expansion and its effects upon the 6th District.

Duckworth: On Assault Weapons

ArchPundit December 18, 2005 1 Comment

I tried to make this a broader question about gun control and Illinois’ laws, but I didn’t follow up well (the problem with interviews when you are watching your kids–I had a three year old curl up with me during this point).

On assault weapons, she supports the assault weapon ban and pointed out that she is very familiar with firearms both professionally and for recreational uses. She also stated she was the best shot amongst the four.

Duckworth supports waiting periods as exist in Illinois.

The question I didn’t follow up on was whether she supported the Illinois requirements for having an FOID. While not directly a federal issue, this is a hobby horse of mine.