Iraq vet possible Senate replacement for Obama

[unhappycamper]

Source: Army Times / Honolulu Advertiser



Illinois' Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth, a former Army helicopter pilot wounded in Iraq in 2004, laughs before a Nov. 7 news conference where she said she would be honored to serve in the U.S. Senate if Gov. Rod Blagojevich taps her to fill President-elect Barack Obama's seat.


Iraq vet possible Senate replacement for Obama
Honolulu Advertiser
Posted : Wednesday Nov 12, 2008 15:48:52 EST

Tammy Duckworth, who earned the Purple Heart for her service in Iraq, may be moving up with President-elect Barack Obama.

Duckworth, now the Illinois Veterans Affairs director, has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Obama in the U.S. Senate or as Veterans Affairs secretary in an Obama administration.

She accompanied Obama yesterday as the Illinois senator marked Veterans Day by placing a wreath at the bronze soldiers memorial between the Field Museum and Soldier Field in Chicago.

Duckworth, then a pilot with the Illinois Army National Guard, lost both her legs in Iraq in 2004 when her Black Hawk helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade.

Read more: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/gns_duckworth_111208/

[JI7]

1. she would be a great choice

[lapfog_1]

2. She would also be a natural as Secretary of Veterans Affairs - n/t

[BunkerHill24]

12. I would agree as Sec. of Veteran Affairs....but not in the Senate

[pnorman]

3. Here's her Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tammy_Duckworth

As I recall, she ran a very credible race for Congressperson in a "Red" district" in 2006! (I really HATE to use the word "Red" in that context!)

pnorman

[never cry wolf]

10. She was in way over her head, she was packaged by the DLC

She was the chosen one to run in that race and the DLC backed her in a very close primary against a true lefty who had almost beat the Henry Hyde in a red district 2 years earlier, Christine Cegalis who is close to Jan Schakowski. I watched the debates and interviews and Tammy did not know the issues well, did not speak well and frankly did not come off as very bright either, IMHO. I don't think she would be a very good choice.

[pnorman]

14. You seem to be better informed about here, and on a closer level.

I'll (tentatively) defer to your judgment, but still keep a more or less open mind about her. Thanks for your comments.

pnorman

[never cry wolf]

21. I grew up and lived in that district for 26 years

I am now only 6 miles away. In 2004 Christine Cegalis gave Henry Hyde his toughest race in 16 terms, getting 44% of the vote. Then he announced his retirement and the seat was up for grabs. I tell you, the Illinois forum was hot under the collar when and the DLC came in annointed Tammy the chosen candidate before the primary(and backed her with LOTS of cash.) Remember the Dem. Congressional Committee that year had a plan to show off all their new, young, VETERAN candidates, Christine Cegalis didn't fit the mold.

Check her out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christine_Cegelis

[pnorman]

23. NOW, I recall the DU discusion on that Congressional race. Once again, thanks!

However, IF O'Bama should select her for that position, I don't think it would be all that bad. He is going to have an INCREDIBLE force arrayed against him, and with a virtually unlimited treasury to draw on. Many of them would have good reason to fear prison time, now that the adults will be taking charge. I trust him wholeheartedly, to make the best possible moves for the coming battle.

pnorman

[Stand and Fight]

18. I really hate when that happens.

Happened a lot under Rahm Emmanuel's leadership of the DCCC. I didn't know she had problems with the issues -- my indifference has become skepticism.

[never cry wolf]

20. Rahm was the one that picked her to run

Tammy came with a great story, local minority veteran girl hurt in Iraq and that off term election the DLC were trying to protray the Dems as tough on terror.

[Arctic Dave]

4. Don't really know anything about her,

But I am in awe of her commitment to this country and her fellow service people.

Bravo Zulu.

[SeattleGirl]

5. I really admire Tammy Duckworth, and think she would be

great as either the replacement for Obama, or as head of the VA.

[ksimons]

6. Thousand times more qualified than a Sarah Palin no doubt.

[Hekate]

7. Previously posted here... And yes, I'd like to see her somewhere in the new Obama administration

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7857988&mesg_id=7857988

[shadowknows69]

8. That would be awesome

Senator Duckworth I love it.

[Wizard777]

9. I really couldn't think of a better choice.

[investintrains]

11. I would not vote for someone who helped in the bombing of Iraqis

I would not vote for someone who helped in the bombing of Iraqis

[Stand and Fight]

17. You wouldn't be voting for her anyhow...

It's an appointment by the governor of Illinois... :eyes:

[BunkerHill24]

13. I am freaking tired of this Senate seat.....maybe we should just shut up about it

[investintrains]

15. #1 question... is Duckworth now working to end the war in Iraq?

#1 question... is Duckworth now working to end the war in Iraq?

[Stand and Fight]

16. Do you have some motive in your repeated posts?

I mean, I personally am indifferent about her, but you seem to have some ulterior motive. State it.

[Alamuti Lotus]

24. I'll take a wild guess

Not a fan of the Iraq war, and not a fan of its fans? :shrug:

[unhappycamper]

19. I believe she is.

Anyone who has gone thru the Veterans Administration and come out sane is on our side. And I'm not easy to please.

[riderinthestorm]

22. She's a great choice primarily because she can win in 2 years.

The appointment needs to go to someone who has proven they can win the seat in 2 years when it's finally contested.

Duckworth came within 1% point of beating Roskam in the reddest county in the country - Dupage, home to Henry Hyde. Roskam had Bush, Cheney, Rove, and even Laura Bush campaign for him (and raise funds for him). He ran a despicable campaign including a slew of robocalls and still almost lost the seat to a total Dem unknown (Duckworth). She had a LOT of Republican votes. If she can garner that many Rethugs to vote for her, her first time out, she wouldn't have any problem as the incumbent winning the seat.

I worked on her campaign and met her several times. She's very, very bright. Very charismatic and I thought she held her own very well during the debates.

I'd like to see her chosen but understand there's a lot of pressure to fill it with an African American.