Today's Duckworth lineup: H. Clinton; J. Wilson; B. Boxer; L. Evans

[wndycty]

For Duckworth supporters here is an update on other Democrats who have lent a hand to Tammy. In addition to names we are already familiar with: Clark, Durin, Emanuel, Kerry, Obama, Pelosi and Schakowsky, today's article reveals that Barbara Boxer, Hillary Clinton, Lane Evans and Joseph Wilson have either helped out or are on tap to do so. This article, which makes a LEGITIMATE critique of the Duckworth campaign at the end( Duckworth's campaign would rather the national aspect of her candidacy and fund-raising not get special attention.), mentions that Kerry's letter raised "tens of thousands of dollars" for Tammy, while Cegelis reports she got some donations from those who did not like Kerry's letter.

It as also points out Duckworth's twofold strategy.

Big Dems take sides in House race

March 2, 2006

BY LYNN SWEET SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

With the Illinois primary less than three weeks away, some of the nation's biggest Democratic names are raising money for wounded Iraq war vet Tammy Duckworth, taking sides in a suburban congressional contest.

Duckworth travels to New York on March 12 for a fund-raiser hosted by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), who is the Democrats' star draw. Wednesday night marked the deadline for the latest federal reporting period, and by all indications, Duckworth, of Hoffman Estates, will swamp her rivals, Christine Cegelis, of Rolling Meadows, who was the 2004 nominee, and college professor Lindy Scott, who lives in Wheaton.

Duckworth's big-name strategy is twofold:

First, to raise the hundreds of thousands of dollars needed to keep her television spots on the air.

Second, to demonstrate a sense that she alone has the powerful patrons who can help level the financial playing field in what is certain to be a multimillion-dollar November showdown with state Sen. Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton).
-snip-

Duckworth's campaign seed money was provided by political action committees and donors connected to Durbin, Emanuel, Obama, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Professional fund-raisers working for the four Illinois lawmakers -- all with golden Rolodexes full of national contacts -- are helping Duckworth. And Pelosi and Emanuel also joined in another e-mail plea for money, setting a goal of raising $250,000 by Feb. 24 in order to bankroll Duckworth's TV spots. Retired Gen. Wes Clark also sent a letter to benefit Duckworth.

On Sunday, Duckworth's Finance Committee chairman, bankruptcy turnaround specialist William Brandt, and his wife, Patrice, hosted a big-dollar event at their Winnetka home, with special guests Schakowsky, Rep. Lane Evans (D-Ill.) and former Ambassador Joe Wilson, whose wife, Valerie Plame, was the CIA agent whose outing became the basis for a leak probe led by Chicago-based U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.
-snip-

http://www.suntimes.com/output/sweet/cst-edt-sweet021.html#

[acmejack]

1. This is the kind of crap that makes one despise politics

No honor among thieves & apparently that holds true for politicians as well. Sorry Christine, nice knowing you.

[wndycty]

2. While it would NEVER happen, I wonder what types of names people would

. . .call Cindy Sheehan if she come out in support of Duckworth. . .LOL.

[acmejack]

3. You really find humor in these types of situations?

They are the worst things that can happen to the party1 Cegalis built a fine grassroots organization & nearly defeated an entrenched incumbent. On the face of it, it seems a case of the National Party determining what is best for the local yokels.

[wndycty]

5. I find humor in people who can't accept that one candidate. . .

. . .has support from insiders, while one candidate has support from a SEGMENT of the grassroots population. This is politics, if Cegelis is a strong candidate she should be able to beat back Duckworth. I'm getting sick and tired of certain Cegelis already labeling a Duckworth victory is a defeat for the party. . .give me an f'ing break.

[acmejack]

6. I find your tone somewhat offensive.

Obviously you have no desire to conduct a discussion, I was misled into believing that was your intent. Excuse me for the mistaken impression. Mea Culpa. Enjoy your Chicago politics.

[wndycty]

7. LOL My tone?

Give me a break.

[acmejack]

8. What don't you understand?

[dogman]

33. It's not offensive to call some good elected Dem officials thieves?

Great way to start a discussion.

[Adelante]

4. Looks like everybody's busy in that race

On March 13 Cheney will travel to a banquet hall in Addison to headline a fund-raiser for Roskam. And on Monday night, House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) hosts a big-ticket reception for Roskam at a club in downtown Chicago. Last fall, Hastert, the rest of the GOP House leadership team and the GOP House members from Illinois raised money for Roskam at a Washington fund-raiser.

[tishaLA]

9. Good for Ms., Duckworth

I hope she raises lots of money so she can kick republicon ass in November (assuming she wins the primary, of course). This would be a great seat to pick up and, it goes without saying, I am impressed by anyone who gets endorsements from people like Clark, Boxer, Wilson, Obama, and Kerry.

[wndycty]

10. It gives her an impressive line up of backers going into November!

:kick:

[warrens]

22. There's another upside to this as well

If Duckworth raises a lot of money, the GOP will have to pull out of their hit on Melissa Bean, who defeated Phil Crane last time and was at the top of Rove's hit list. But defending a GOP seat is probably more important than trying to knock off an incumbent, so Duckworth could really throw a monkey wrench into Rethug congressional race strategy.

They have a lot of money, but they don't have unlimited resources. They planned to flood Bean's district, but I haven't heard much about that since Duckworth announced.

[WildEyedLiberal]

11. Uh oh, Barbara Boxer is an establishment tool now!

:eyes:

Seriously, this is cool. I need to send Tammy some money via the email I got yesterday.

[wndycty]

12. As I said up thread, in the unlikely event Cindy Sheehan. . .

. . .comes out and endorses Duckworth she will also be an establishment tool.

[Ken Burch]

27. Fine. You want to support the right-wing prowar candidate

whose voting record will always be barely distinguishable from Hyde's and who will help defeat progressive bill after progressive bill, that's your call, OL' Wild Eyes.

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Ken Burch]

30. Duckworth isn't against the war. Her main issue is the

Alternative Minimum Tax, which is a middle-class conservative issue. That tells the tale.
Duckworth has no left-of-center positions on any issue. It isn't worth electing
a conservative hawk as a Democrat. There's another party if you want that.

[dogman]

32. The conservative hawk is Roskam.

Maybe you prefer him? Who are the electorate of the 6th CD? Mostly middle-class conservatives. Duckworth is against the war, just not for an immediate pull-out, like most voters in that District.

[WildEyedLiberal]

34. LOL, earlier you said she "had NO positions"

So which is it? :eyes: At least try to keep your smears straight.

[wndycty]

35. Do you really expect he/she to let the facts get in the way. . .

. . .of a good smear?

[Ken Burch]

36. She's taken one position, and it's conservative.

And that's it. I stand corrected if it really matters. What it shows is that Duckworth isn't progressive and isn't on
our side.

And there still isn't a single poll showing Duckworth would run a stronger race.
No one in the district knows her, few care about her. She's just not worth the
having all the heavy hitting Dem hacks jump in to try to stop her progressive, pro-peace
and electable opponent, Christine Cegelis

[WildEyedLiberal]

39. Then if Dems in District 6 prefer Cegelis, they will choose her

Since this race is fairly high profile, I would expect Dems who are politically aware enough to vote in a primary to do their own research and discover who they like the best. If Cegelis is that person, no amount of big-name endorsements will matter, and they will vote for her. If Duckworth is that person, they will vote for her.

There is nothing extraordinary in this race - most primaries feature endorsements and donations given to specific candidates by those who'd like to see their favorite win. Shouldn't we celebrate democracy instead of angrily demanding that one candidate has no right to run?

Many unions endorsed Duckworth, and that's good enough for me. Unions and working class folks are the backbone of this party and if they like Duckworth, then she's okay by me.

[ChiciB1]

13. Alright, I'm Stoooopid, I've Seen Her Name Mentioned A Lot

but I haven't checked out any of the threads. What is the big problem??

[tishaLA]

19. There isn't really a problem

Some people favor her primary opponent, whom, they say, is getting short shrift despite her showing in 2004, when she garnered 44% of the vote against Henry Hyde (Mr. Youthful Indiscretion). Ms. Duckworth's primary opponent, Ms. Cegelis, has received endorsements from PDA, DFA, and some unions; Ms. Duckworth has received endorsements from Wes Clark, John Kerry, Barbara Boxer, Emily's List, The Chicago Tribune, Illinois AFL-CIO, Citizen Action/Illinois, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Service Employees International Union, AFSCME Council 31, etc.

Some are trying to portray this as a fight between the grassroots and the party establishment, while others think that Ms. Duckworth and Ms. Cegelis are both receiving support from the grassroots.

Whichever candidate wins, constituents in IL-6 will be fortunate to have either woman represent them.

[wndycty]

24. Exactly

:kick:

[Bozita]

14. Duckworth interview today on WGN-TV's noon news

[wndycty]

15. Thanks for the heads up. . .

. . .I'm gonna miss it though.

[madfloridian]

16. I have decided it is best for the party leaders to decide.

So congrats to her for getting all the money the leaders can bring to her. I think it is great that Hillary and Barbara Boxer and Clark and Kerry can raise so much money for her.

Now I know I don't have to worry about donating to them, because they have enough.

I can target my money now, not to any candidates, but to rebuilding the DNC and keep growing the DFA.

Good for her. The party leaders know best, I have decided.

[wndycty]

17. I see you now have extended your pity party to two days. . .

. . .you know you know you don't mean it when you say "I have decided it is best for the party leaders to decide." That is just your DRAMATIC excuse for a response. First of all that is not what is happening NOTHING HAS BEEN DECIDED, the voters of the 6th CD of Illinois will do that between now and March 21. The party leaders are not deciding who wins, this is still a democracy. I'm impressed by swagger, I want to hear Cegelis and her supporters say something like "So? We are still going to win this thing!" This pity party does not inspire confidence in anyone.

[madfloridian]

18. That would not be realistic at all if I said something like that.

Not now, anyway. Not a pity party, just realism. In our country money is the only answer right now.

[wndycty]

25. Buck up. . .

. . . this is politics, if Christine is as good as you say she is she can overcome this.

[madfloridian]

26. Whether or not she can.....I have no idea.

But as long as the committee heads and elected congress people want to decide, I think they should get to decide.

It is their right to say they have more experience. It is their right to say they have a right to control. It is your right to gloat that you are on the money, big money side. I will do nothing now to allow anyone to say I hurt the party.

Someday it will change, but right now I took off my avatar. And right NO one will be able to say to me that I did anything to hurt the party.

It will change someday. I am on board with the DNC and DFA. If PDA ever quits their 3rd party mindset, I will donate to them as well again.

But I saw the light yesterday, I read a lot of forums. Ain't no way in hell I will disagree with you today.

Peace.

[radio4progressives]

29. LOL

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[madfloridian]

37. Bullsh**

I have no other comment. Take away her funding, take away her endorsements, ask her to get out of the race...get her flat on the floor...and then say...hey if you are good you can win this thing.

Bullshit.

[wndycty]

38. You are replying to comments you already replied to and. . .

. . .I'm LAUGHING MY ASS OFF!

[madfloridian]

40. You are always laughing your ass off at someone.

Go for it. I think we should let the party pick all candidates for while. Just let them do it. Just nobody say a word.

[wndycty]

42. Hey when I see laughable behavior what am I supposed to do?

:kick:

[minvis]

44. Really, is this necessary?

This is truly just piling on. You should be ashamed instead of LOL'ing.

[wndycty]

51. Ashamed of what? Laughing at childish behavior?

I'm ashamed of nothing.

[WildEyedLiberal]

41. ...

Can I join you?

:rofl:

[madfloridian]

43. Would Kerry want you to act that way, making fun of others?

I just wonder about that. Some of you said I hurt DFA and was not a good rep for it. I took of the avatar rather than take a chance.

Would your idol John Kerry want you saying things like this all over, making fun of good Democrats.

Just wondering.

[WildEyedLiberal]

47. I'm quite sure John Kerry is a better person than I am

But you know what? I laughed because what he said was TRUE. Do you have any idea how desperate and ludicrous you look when you reply two, three times to the SAME message? It's like you just can't content yourself with making one opaque, veiled, innuendo-loaded post; no, you have to make two or three such replies to ONE message. I've never seen anyone else on DU that desperate for attention.

I laugh at people who take themselves FAR too seriously, and you, my dear MF, are guilty as charged in that department.

[minvis]

46. You are truly sick!!

[WildEyedLiberal]

49. LOL

Okay.

[minvis]

20. As I've mentioned before

It will be interesting to see if all these people will generate the big bucks in the general election when Cegelis wins. I certainly hope so. I think we all agree this would be a big seat to pickup.

[wyldwolf]

21. The DNC doesn't need rebuilding

[madfloridian]

23. Yes, it was good to have many states with no party groups.

That way it is easier for the party to set up the agenda. Again you are right. It was fine like it was. Just rush in every 4 years and set up hurriedly.

[PassingFair]

31. There is plenty of work for us in the local arenas, mad...

It makes me sick to my stomach to see how this is being played out.
:cry:
Our checks will meet in DNC and DFA processing.
Our shoes will be worn out for progressive local candidates.

To all those in Cegelis's district, HIT THE SIDEWALKS and DON'T STOP!

[madfloridian]

45. Check your inbox, PF

.

[WildEyedLiberal]

48. OMG, sekrit PMs!!1

This from the person who accuses me of being in some superkool sekrit insiders klub. Or something.

Seriously, though, why announce to the world that you're pming someone? Just to let us all know that you're exchanging secret strategy? Not that I care; it just seems rather pretentious.

[madfloridian]

50. Please tell this post is a joke, WEL

I happen to know PF doesn't check mail that often. I don't. You really need to back off a little.

[WildEyedLiberal]

52. It was a joke, yes

But I agree it was kind of overboard. I apologize. It's not really just you; it's just always seemed weird to me when people tell others they've pm'd them, since if you go to the forums main page it tells you if you have new mail. But maybe she doesn't check the forums main page, I don't know. I shouldn't have said that, I'm sorry.

[madfloridian]

53. I know they have those on the main page, but I seldom go there.

Thanks.