League of Women Voters Wilmette Candidate Forum
Just back from the Biss-Coulson candidate forum organized by the League of Women Voters in Wilmette. It was actually quite interesting, non-partisan, etc., even though some Republican guy who claimed he was scheduled for the debate kept being a jerk and trying to hand out campaign lit. Since there was supposed to be no electioneering, I had to cover up the t-shirt and buttons. A League rep made one of the audience put away the Republican's materials, and I alerted them to another supporter trying to get away with flashing them. Same rules for all.

Coulson seemed oddly nervous at times, almost panicky -- I think it was beginning to freak her out that she actually had a viable Democratic Party opponent in a year when Republicans at all levels of government will go down to defeat. While the two candidates tend to agree on many issues, Coulson's solution tends to be (wait for it...) budgetary cuts.

Biss's suggestion (in response to a question about environment and energy) is to make sure Illinois gets in on the manufacturing and R & D ground floor of all these great new energy initiatives, pointing out that as of now, jobs and wealth in these technologies is being created overseas. He spoke about other issues (such as flat vs. progressive taxation -- Illinois state tax is flat -- with obvious understanding of how it works here). Coulson sometimes seemed a little befuddled at what he was saying.

The oddest and most confusing response Coulson gave was about whether there is or isn't gridlock in Springfield, and whether she's part of it or not. She started out saying there was none, then flipped back to saying that some of her initiatives have sat in committee for 12 years, then going back again. Biss contends that proposed legislative rule changes would break the power of some of the entrenched committees and open the process up to -- yes -- the legislative process. It didn't sound as though she'd thought much about that particular question.

This was probably the first time it really struck me how difficult it is to be a challenger to an entrenched, moderately successful politician who has a record that can be cherry-picked and pointed to with pride, depending on the audience (not that Coulson does it, but still...). As a Republican, she's not Satan, per se -- though many in what passes for the GOP would probably brand her as a relativistic commie type who kills babies, etc. etc.

Daniel Biss is not just a smart guy -- mathematics professor, etc., big-brained genius-type -- but he's genuine, very down-to-earth and funny too. If he's against something, he doesn't waffle. He speaks passionately about fake issues that scare us (like non-existent voter fraud -- and picture id requirements, which both he and Coulson are against). This, I think, is what so many people respond to, and I saw a lot of head nodding in the audience whenever he was clearly speaking from the heart.

Unfortunately, the format only allowed for 2 minute responses, and no followup questions. Coulson has, of course, done this many many times before, while Biss is still new to the process. I have a feeling, though, that many of us could have listened to his ideas for a lot longer than 2 minutes.

So, if you're in the 17th Illinois State Congressional District (Skokie, Wilmette, parts of Evanston, etc.), go vote for him and you'll get your chance.

Labels: Daniel Biss, elections, politics

- posted by Cynthia @ 3:31 PM | | | Link |

 
Time to Put Up the Storm Windows
We're supposed to get snow tonight. Yikes!

Good afternoon, friends. I'm sure you're all out canvassing for your candidates, so won't be reading this, but I figured I'd talk about the weather for a little bit before I go out to the League of Women Voters event pitting Democrat Daniel Biss against his Republican opponent, Elizabeth Coulson, in the 17th State Congressional District in Illinois. It's at 1:30pm, Wilmette Village Hall, 1200 Wilmette Avenue, in Wilmette (the big building that isn't the bank just east of Green Bay Road). I've been told it's only an hour long.

So put on that t-shirt and buttons and get out there!

Labels: Daniel Biss, elections, politics

- posted by Cynthia @ 12:11 PM | | | Link |

 
Election Night in Grant Park
Just heard on news that they're planning for 100,000 in Grant Park.

How about adding another 0 to the end of that, guys? I have a feeling that every single voter in Illinois will want to be there. I'll be closing a polling place (have told the Daniel Biss campaign that I'll work election day for him), so it'll take me awhile to get down there.

But I will be there. Oh, yes I will.

Haven't heard all the details yet, but they're demented if they think that only the same number of folks who showed up at a rally in St. Louis last week will want to see the next president of the United States here in his hometown.

They have to run extra trains. They have to treat this like the Taste of Chicago, Fourth of July, Venetian Night, and the Air and Water Show (plus World Series and Super Bowl win) combined.

But of course, everyone must get out there and VOTE first. I mean it, guys. If you can vote early, please do it. Stand in line NOW so you won't have to later -- and so you can come to Chicago for the party, if you want to.

SO much better than a cheesy band in a hotel ballroom, even if it rains/snows.

Labels: Daniel Biss, elections, obama

- posted by Cynthia @ 10:08 PM | | | Link |

 
Daniel Biss for State Representative
Just back from the Skokie parade, marching with Daniel Biss, who's running for State Rep against an incumbent Republican in the Illinois 17th (Skokie, Morton Grove, parts of Evanston, etc.).

And running is the operative word:



My gosh, does this guy have long legs and the energy to use them!

Every time I thought I'd got a good shot of him, he was off shaking another hand, talking to another group of people, etc. Photo-op is basically not part of his vocabulary.

For example:





This one is actually semi-staged, because I begged him to stop moving for a minute! He'd just finished talking to the kids and dad right in front of the banner and then was up and off again. I think this is why he's laughing.



All this only slightly balances out the best pix of the day: camels!!




I love 4th of July parades!

Was planning to hit the Evanston parade too, which is in progress, but my legs are not as long as they used to be, I'm afraid.

If you've never gone out and marched with a candidate in a local parade, you should try it one day. It's quite fun.

Labels: Daniel Biss, elections, politics

- posted by Cynthia @ 2:58 PM | | | Link |

 
Daniel Biss for Illinois State Rep, 17th District
How cool is this?



No, it's not photoshopped. And it doesn't mean he has all the money in the world he needs either, so go here to find out more and contribute.

Just back from campaign kickoff on one of the rainiest days I can remember, a day we're all supposed to go door to door in the 17th district to get signatures to get Daniel on the ballot for the February 5th primary. Luckily the heavens closed for us as t-shirts and petition forms were distributed and even as I speak, someone from the campaign may now be knocking at your door.

If so, please answer and sign. There were so many people at the rally that he probably right now has enough signatures, but you can never have enough. A lot get tossed out for various reasons. The filing date I believe is October 29th.

I got there a little late and had to squeeze in the back just as the magnificent Jan Schakowsky, always a great and brief rally speaker, got us revved. Daniel spoke briefly, and the race was afoot.

The big news was also that Larry Suffredin, currently a Cook County Commissioner, is planning to run for Cook County States Attorney, since Dick Devine isn't planning to run again. I don't see anything online about it yet.

Since I'm not yet in full-out political mode, I completely forgot to bring the camera. I promise I'll remember next time.

Since they moved the primary up to February, the campaign season is drastically shortened. This is of course both good and bad. The good part is that it gives Daniel (I am assuming here that of course he will win the primary) more time for the district to get to know him.

It is vital that we keep the Illinois State House in Democratic hands, despite a certain pissed-offedness at Blagojovich many feel (and a pissed-offedness at Mike Madigan who couldn't be screwing things up for the party more if he had spent years and years studying at the feet of the Republicans).

We are inches away from a health care plan of some sort that may even cover such as me (I can't keep track of what the latest budget compromise is). I am not holding my breath or counting on manna from heaven this year.

But next year, watch out.

(I sorta apologize for all the links to the same place, but I understand this is how you're supposed to do it because some people read from the top down, others bottom up, and others just glance randomly and click stuff. So.)

Labels: Daniel Biss, elections, politics

- posted by Cynthia @ 4:00 PM | | | Link |