no senator schakowsky. damn.

[mopinko]

too bad. but then again, i get to keep my congresswoman, who i like very much.
from her email
==========

As you probably know, I seriously explored mounting a campaign for the U. S. Senate instead of running for the House. We did polling, traveled around the state, talked to Democratic leaders and grass roots voters in Illinois and around the country and became convinced that I would have a very strong chance of winning a Senate race.

But this is a very special moment in history, one that I have worked and waited for my entire career, and I decided that in order to run for Senate I would simply have to divert too much time and energy to do the massive amounts of fund raising required by a serious Senate bid.

I feel confident that I could raise the $10 million need for a primary race - and the $16 million plus needed for a general election campaign - but to do it I would have to become a telemarketer five to six hours each day.

Over the next two years, Congress has the opportunity to provide health care to all Americans, begin on the road to energy independence, remake the financial regulatory system, pass immigration reform and help transform our relationship with the rest of the world. I think the next two years present a once in a lifetime opportunity to make progressive change. I want to devote my energy to help make these things a reality, and decided that I simply couldn't do it if I ran a vigorous campaign for Senate.

As most of you know, I work closely with President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. I serve in the House Democratic Leadership, and on the Energy and Commerce Committee that is crafting health care and energy reforms. I am also the Chair of the Sub-Committee on Oversight and Investigation of the Intelligence Committee that is working to make sure we never again allow agencies of our government to use torture, illegal wiretaps and the abuses of civil rights that we saw during the Bush years.

I believe that we have entered a period in history like the New Deal or Civil Rights Movement when we have the opportunity to make fundamental progressive change. I don't know how long that period will last, but I do know that for me personally, at this moment, I need to do everything I can every day to achieve the kinds of changes that we often can make only once in a lifetime.

I feel privileged to have the opportunity to serve Illinois' 9th District in the U.S. House and I look forward to continuing to represent you there. I thank you so much.

[benny05]

1. That is too bad

I like her the most.

But she's right.

[mopinko]

2. yeah, i was torn.

but she is extremely valuable to the progressive cause right where she is.

[sueh]

3. I, too, was hoping Jan would run for the senate. But, I think she can do much more for us

serving in the House. Keep up the great work, Jan!

[mopinko]

she will tell you

that she has the easiest job in the congress. all she has to do is do what her constituents want, which is pretty much always what she wants. (and always the right thing to do.)
we are a deep, deep shade of blue in the 9th, with the exception of some teenie tiny pockets.

[mopinko]

4. she will tell you

that she has the easiest job in the congress. all she has to do is do what her constituents want, which is pretty much always what she wants. (and always the right thing to do.)
we are a deep, deep shade of blue in the 9th, with the exception of some teenie tiny pockets.

[Robbien]

5. If she went over to the senate she would have a real hard time

Reid doesn't like progressive viewpoints having any weight in his senate. At least in the house Jan has a voice with the leadership.

[mopinko]

6. maybe she would get him demoted.

i can dream, can't i?