From the Grassroots: Hull Endorsement

Note–this is a series of endorsements from grassroots supporters of US Senate Candidates–meaning the opinions expressed are not mine. And please play nice in comments for these.

If you are a grassroots supporter–meaning not a part of the official apparatus (volunteers are fine) feel free to submit one. I reserve the right to edit for blatant falsehoods and anything legally actionable as well as good taste, but the vast majority will go up as submitted. The following is from guest blogger ArmChairPundit.
———
Blair Hull receives my endorsement for the democratic nominee to the U.S. Senate from Illinois.

In a state where politics is the ultimate insider?s game, where the great combine has ruled the state for decades, and where democracy is all but dead in its largest city, Hull is a true outsider. His life has been full and complicated, but there is a progressive heart at its core. His actions and experiences may not have been legislative or governmental, but they have made a significant impact on the world in which we live, improving the lives of many, particularly women, gay men and lesbians.

Blair Hull receives my endorsement for the democratic nominee to the U.S. Senate from Illinois.

In a state where politics is the ultimate insider?s game, where the great combine has ruled the state for decades, and where democracy is all but dead in its largest city, Hull is a true outsider. His life has been full and complicated, but there is a progressive heart at its core. His actions and experiences may not have been legislative or governmental, but they have made a significant impact on the world in which we live, improving the lives of many, particularly women, gay men and lesbians.

First, let?s get the particularities of his divorce from his second wife out of the way. Divorces in Illinois can be messy, ugly affairs, particularly when money is at stake. Do I believe that he acted inappropriately toward his second wife in their divorce? Yes. Do I think she is a victim of domestic abuse or violence? No. His story seems credible; her story seems a bit dubious. She professed last week to being shocked that Hull put his candidacy above their friendship. But if their friendship meant so much to her, why didn?t she come forward two weeks ago, say that their divorce was indeed ugly, it?s over, they?re friends, she supports his candidacy and thinks he?ll make a good senator, so enough. It?s been done before in Illinois politics, and that has ended it. Or, going back to the divorce, she says that she ?settled? for almost $4 million dollars to get him out of the house because she feared for her safety, and that she was successful financially so it was never about money. Well, if she had all the money she needed, and she truly feared for her safety, then why not say, ?you can have it all, now just get out.?

Look, he said/she said divorces are hideous for everyone concerned. But no one running for office should have to pay the I-was-a-jerk-once tax over and over again, and it should rarely be so onerous as to be disqualifying. If it is, then all we are left with is carefully scrubbed candidates who haven?t lived real lives, full of successes and failures, triumphs and tragedy, and mistakes that need forgiveness. What we have is political class of ambitious people who have carefully plotted ever move from cradle to their first election victory. In my opinion, Dan Hynes and Barak Obama fit the later mold.

Hull has a life-long history of working on behalf of those who have not had a fair chance. His daughter was the plaintiff in the Brown Title IX, which Hull funded to the Supreme Court. That Case and the subsequent law change the face of women?s sports. He helped establish the Women in Sports Foundation, and was an early and major backer of organizations supporting a woman?s right to choose, long before it was vogue for men to do so. He has also supported for years GLBT causes, both on the legal and political fronts.

Hull works hard to understand fully the issues on which he takes a stand, and, as is evidenced in his detailed position papers, addresses problems with careful, workable solutions. His health care proposal may actually be the first put forward by a liberal democrat that has the chance a bi-partisan support, because it appeals to both sides: it provides for universal care, and the same choice that members of Congress have.

Now a word about the two other ?frontrunners? in this race: Hynes and Obama

Obama is first and foremost a politician. He has avoided tough votes, particularly pro-choice votes, by voting ?present,? and affiliated himself with anti-gay politicos in a way that shouldn?t be abided. He appeared as a guest speaker at a fundraiser for anti-gay state Sen. William Haine (D-Alton), and did little to nothing to bring the black caucus along in supporting SB101, which would have expanded the Illinois Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation. He gave no speeches confronting his colleagues on this matter, even though he was a co-sponsor of the legislation. Hull?s power is money and he?s used it; Obama?s power is his legislative pulpit, and he hasn?t.

Hynes is worse. He is the scion of one of Illinois?s most powerful democratic families. He has the backing of almost every anti-choice, anti-gay democrat in the state — including former U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard and state Sens. George Shadid (Peoria) and Gary Forby (D-Marion); and Sen. Vince Demuzio (D-Carlinville), an outspoken gay rights opponent, is one of Hynes’ campaign co-chairs ? and although he signed a letter supporting SB101, he, nor his very powerful father, did nothing to advance it through the democrat controlled Senate. Perhaps he and his father were too busy lining up SB101s opponents for his Senate race.

Hull has my support because he will never vote ?present.? I trust that Hull will always stand for what he believes. He?s done it as a private citizen and now he?ll do it as a public servant.