Illinois Democrats: How are you voting for Senate??

[JHBowden]

I ask this question because I'm personally torn between Hynes and Obama.

I like Obama a lot. He is a former constitutional law professor, very articulate, and is not a Bush suckup. However, all of the Republicans I encounter online want to run against him, feeling he is a lighting rod for all sorts of issues. Some voters may instinctively think "jihad" when they see 'Barack Obama' in front of them on their ballot.

Is this a fair assessment? Is this a smart assessment?

Some might argue that "who cares what the Republicans think!" However, outside observation matters. From my point of view as a Democrat, I feel Jack Ryan will be the easiest to beat, given his extremely conservative views and negative name recognition. However, many Republicans at the grassroots level have talked themselves into believing he is a winner, which I believe is a fundamental mistake. Someone with an unlimited supply of money like Oberweis is a stronger candidate; provided he keeps his mouth shut about immigrants.

Hence, I thinking about giving Hynes a chance. Though I'm not very enthusiastic about him, I know with certainty he will not lose. Hynes knows how the game is played, and has a very polished appearance. In a way, my decision now is very much like the Dean/Kerry choice I was grappling with earlier. I'm not considering Blair; although he can buy the election like Oberweis, he is not very personable and there is uncertainty about wife-beating issues.

Who should I vote for?

For those out of state, here are the candidates running:

D:

http://www.obamaforillinois.com/
http://www.danhynes.com/
http://www.gerychicoforsenate.com/
http://www.blairhull.com/

R:

http://www.oberweis2004.com/
http://www.jackryan2004.com/
http://www.mckennaforsenate.com/

[David Dunham]

1. My brother in Illinois will vote for Hynes.

[Padraig18]

2. I'm LEANING Hynes.

It's a hard choice between him and Obama, who I also like.

[greatauntoftriplets]

3. Obama.

Hardly the wife beater.

[JHBowden]

4. Blair Hull has the order of restraint against him.

Not Obama.

[greatauntoftriplets]

9. Exactly what I meant.

I am voting for Obama. NOT the wife beater.

[Nailzberg]

18. Neither have restraint orders against them.

Hull's ex dropped it as soon as she got her settlement from the divorce. As for wife beating? Police report and court papers say he hit her in the shin AFTER she kicked him. The state's attorney did not bring charges.


This is politically motivated. After reading the divorce papers, I'm not sure why Mike Flannery went so nuts over this, other than the glaring fact that he is close personal friends with the Hynes family.

We Dems are gonna come out of this losers. When Jack Ryan picks up all the independent voters who are sick the political games, he'll have a good laugh on his plane to Washington.

We have to start being more issue oriented, and quit running around saying we're gonna keep a positive message while throwing knives at other democrats.

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. 2 votes for Obama here. n/t

[Tim_in_HK]

6. Just curious . . .

But who's in the lead in the polls? Both Hynes and Obama look good. I went to high school with Hynes, but Obama represents my district in Chicago (where I grew up, not presently live). If I was still registered in IL, it would be a tough call. They both are excellent.

And on the Repub side, who is favored to run in the GE?

[Padraig18]

8. Ryan is the clear GE favorite for the Repubs.

The last IL poll I saw had Hynes with a slight lead, but a HUGE number are still undecided.

[Tim_in_HK]

11. Thanks

Good luck. Tough call on who to support. I think both Hynes and Obama would be excellent in the Senate.

From my snug armchair in Asia, I think that Hynes would bring in the Daly affect (and I would presume he is Daly's preferred candidate based on past family/city loyalties), but Obama obviously has lots of talents as well and is a clear asset.

And I just skimmed thru Ryan's bio. He's got a nice story, 'successful overachiever investment bank partner quits to teach HS to help less fortunate reach American dream.'

I think this is going to be a very interesting GE . . .

[Doomsayer13]

10. Ryan for R, Hull for D

no coincidence that both of them are spending the most money on their ad campaigns. Though Hull has been wounded with allegations of domestic violence.

[bornskeptic]

15. Survey USA poll from 2/25 has Obama leading.

Obama 32%
Hull 22%
Hynes 17%
Pappas 12%
Chico 7%
Other 7%
Undecided 2%

and for the Republicans they have Ryan way ahead.

Ryan 46%
Oberweis 14%
McKenna 13%
Rauschenberger 10%
Borling 3%
Other 9%
Undecided 5%

http://www.surveyusa.com/currentelectionpolls.html

[ButterflyBlood]

16. I just hope someone beats Hull

he's damaged goods.

[Nailzberg]

17. Bad poll

It excluded likely voters. Those numbers reflect 372 people identified as certain voters.
It drops those identified as probable to get those numbers.

Here's how the full sample looks.

Obama 27%
Hull 25%
Hynes 18%
Pappas 14%
Chico 6%

[PROGRESSIVE1]

7. I am not from Illinois but I'll take whoever can clean the Rethugs clock..

in November!!!!!!!

:dem:

[Jeebo]

12. What about Nancy Skinner?

Why is nobody mentioning her? I don't live in Illinois, but I did donate $25 to her campaign a couple months ago. I know nothing about those other candidates y'all mentioned.

Or are y'all talking about a STATE senate seat?

Ron

[ButterflyBlood]

13. nope, it's the statewide race

but she's barely polling. honestly i don't think she should've ran, there's already a strong progressive candidate in Obama, who she should've backed. I don't live in Illinois but I'd go for Obama all the way.

[dogman]

14. You have defined the dilemma.

I heard both speak Thursday night. Obama is clearly the best orator and definitely had better crowd reaction. I personally could find no fault and was impressed with his knowledge and stand on the issues. Hynes himself brought up the elect-ability factor saying he has held statewide office carrying 58% of downstate vote. We must win this seat! To me Obama has my heart and Hynes has my head. I don't think I can say, until I mark my ballot, what I will do.

[alcuno]

19. Jan Schakowsky endorsed Obama.

I'll take her word for it.

[TedsGarage]

20. Obama

Obama is more articulate, more intelligent, and more independent than Hynes, and I think he'll be more likely to attain a leadership position in the Senate. He's a progressive in the tradition of Paul Douglas and Paul Simon. Plus, he'd be the only African-American in the Senate, which would immediately make him a spokesman on a number of issues. He'll have a national profile.

Hynes is only 35, but he already strikes me as a tired hack. He's a product of the clannish 19th Ward machine (his father, Tom, is the commiteeman), which is trying to control politics all over Chicago. Send him to the Senate, and he'll be an uninspired back-bencher.

Don't worry about electability. Either of these guys will beat Ryan. Kerry will run strongly at the top of the ticket, and Illinois won't send a pro-life, pro-gun senator to Washington.

[LincolnMcGrath]

21. Daniel W. Hynes