ArchPundit

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 No Comments

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 No Comments

“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.

Duckworth: On Healthcare

ArchPundit December 18, 2005 No Comments

Supports universal access to affordable health care for everyone. Strongly objects to recent Medicaid cuts. In terms of specifics about how to reach greater access she will be developing that position.

A central point she made was the impact of increasing costs on business and the long term impact on jobs.

Duckworth: On Her Background

ArchPundit December 18, 2005 No Comments

She grew up largely internationally and spent her last semester in high school in Hawaii. She then stayed in Hawaii for college and transitioned from marine biology to political science in which she ended up majoring. From there then she moved to Dekalb to enter the PhD program in political science.

She reached ABD status and worked on a dissertation that studied the political economy of Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia’s response to the Asian financial crisis. During that period she had several committee members retire or pass away and eventually she migrated to health policy and public health.

She then went to work for Rotary International managing their Rotary programs in Asia and began to work on a public health dissertation on private and public institutions working on health issues. This tied into the work at Rotary as Rotary is attempting to eradicate polio worldwide through a private initiative.

She moved to Dekalb 15 years ago and then has been in Hoffman Estates for three years.