Why defeat in Hastert’s district is a ‘disaster’ for the GOP

[babylonsister]

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/14831.html

Why defeat in Hastert’s district is a ‘disaster’ for the GOP
Posted March 9th, 2008 at 9:00 am

snip//


A senior Republican official last night called the loss a “disaster.” It’s an entirely reasonable description.

The Republican Party in DC and in Illinois not only expected to keep this seat with a well-known candidate — Oberweis’ business is not only well know, but he has run for statewide office twice in recent years — they needed to win to demonstrate the party’s ability to win in November. To lose in a GOP district would point to serious problems down the road.

So, the party invested heavily. It didn’t matter.

By last week, the National Republican Congressional Committee had poured $1.2 million into this race; the Democratic Congressional Committee had given more than $620,000.

In terms of national politics, Obama cut an ad for Foster, while McCain campaigned for Oberweis. Score one for Obama.

On a related note, as David Kurtz reminds us, it’s yet another setback for the National Republican Congressional Committee: “Think Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) is having fun yet as chairman of the NRCC? Since taking over the NRCC after the 2006 midterms, he’s struggled to compete with the DCCC financially, faced an ugly embezzlement scandal within the NRCC, and now lost the seat held by the last Republican Speaker of the House.”

Indeed, it’s also worth remembering that the NRCC, after a year of fundraising struggles, spent 20% of its cash on hand to win this race. And lost.

Republicans entered this race with everything on their side. They spent lots of money, ran a well-known candidate, took on a Democratic rookie, all in a district that’s backed Republicans consistently for decades.

If the GOP doesn’t look at these results and feel awfully nervous, the party just isn’t paying attention.

Post Script: DDay added this gem: “Put it this way: if I told you in the middle of 2006 that Democrats would control Tom DeLay AND Dennis Hastert’s seats in Congress within two years, would you believe me?”

[tanyev]

1. A "disaster".

Ahhhh.

:D

[UTUSN]

2. K&R #3 n/t

[KharmaTrain]

3. The Shapes Of Things To Come...

This district was a Democratic no-man's land for the 30 years I've lived in and near it...now it's going to be represented by a Progressive, Liberal Democrat! Imagine a wingnut winning John Conyers or Nancy Pelosi's district. This is the transformation that just occured.

The win was a great effort of netroots, unions and the Democratic party and should bode well for taking at least two more GOOP seats in the fall. It also shows other candidates how to go into a pruple/red area and win...and win on strength.

Yes, the Milk Nazi was a terrible candidate, but he should have won despite. Two years ago, we faced a similar situation in California when Duke Cunningham's seat was up...Democrats lost opportunities to organize and lost that election. Lessons were learned here and that should send chills into every open GOOP district across the country.

The RNCC is about to implode...losing the election, spending a ton of money with nothing to show for it and the FBI snooping around the books doesn't help fundraising. Many GOOP candidates now see how vulnerable and on their own they are.

Let's see how Tom Cole spins this...or if he survives the week.

Cheers...

:toast:

[Olney Blue]

9. Thanks for your insider's look, KharmaTrain.

Cheers to you, too! :toast:

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

13. Oberweis is well known but he's NEVER won any political race.

Nobody likes that racist fuck, not even conservatives of my acquaintance.

I have family in that district. The voting age kids went for Foster, the older adults never talk about their preferences...one is conservative but flexible, the other is a libertarian. They probably just stayed home yesterday.

Other families I know out there - no relation, thank goodness - moved way west to get away from blacks. Conservative racist fucks just like Oberweis. I have to guess there are more than a few like that. But not enough to elect him.

Oberweis Dairy delivered our milk when I was a kid. They make fantastic ice cream (which I have boycotted for years). Everybody does know the Oberweis name. But Jim is a small town xenophobe in an area that has grown and changed around him. The overall district was largely rural but everything's all built up now. Hastert's advantages were mainly his length of tenure and insider connections. In those regards, Oberweis and Foster were on an even playing field. Voters picked the one who isn't a racist fuck. :)

[KharmaTrain]

19. Oberweis Didn't Even Win Kendall County

This just shows how many stayed home or just don't like the guy. I've heard plenty about him over the years...a racist, sexist jerk whose ego is his ultimate downfall. You're right, people just don't like the guy...even other repugnicans.

The district has really changed over the past decade. I lived in Elgin during the 80's and "civilization" ended in those days (meaning the Chicago city limits) at Route 59...now it's out beyond Route 47. All those developers who greased Gym Teach Denny's pockets appear to have sold to the "wrong type of folks".

The fun will be to see if Oberweis is pressured to step aside and let Chris Lauten run in November.

I've never been in or near an Oberweis Dairy...or at least to my knowledge. He bought out the local Colonial stores around this area, but by then I was aware who the goon was...his place has been avoided ever since.

Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream is far better :grin:

Cheers...

[ananda]

18. Ermm .. for the record ..

Nancy Pelosi -is- a wingnut. DINO

[AnotherMother4Peace]

20. Another former GOP stronghold, Potrero, CA, just ousted Blackwater

This town (that helped elect Bush) organized, recalled its pro-Blackwater Planning Group, elected another Planning Group and Blackwater withdraws its application.

Here's a link. I hope it works: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20080307-1433-bn07black.html

[KharmaTrain]

23. Thank You For The Specifics

I had seen stories about Potero...especially last fall during the fires. Yes, that's a very Red area and to see a defense contractor repudiated in that area is quite an accomplishment. Congrats! But I won't be happy until Erik Prince is tried on his war crimes.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

25. There were 5 major fires in San Diego, & the 1st one started in Potrero

This was right in the middle of a successful recall and the probable election of a planning group opposed to Blackwater's intent to install an 824 acre simulated warfare site. The fire that started in Potrero caused many families to be displaced due to destruction and evacuations. Blackwater, in their effort to win hearts and minds, set up a tent city and donation center (a big PR campaign as seen by many).

Because the Potrero fire occurred at a time when it could have disrupted the election, and because Blackwater tried to appear as the good guys in a time of need, there was a lot of speculation about the Potrero fire.

[bleever]

27. The buffalo roam free

around Fermilab.

I always found that wondrous to see.

Maybe this election is also such a wonder.

[OnyxCollie]

30. The Busby/Bilbray election was stolen.

helped in part by Dennis Hasturd, who swore in Bilbray in a special ceremony to defeat any recount efforts.

But, yeah. I see your point.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

4. Spent 20% of its cash on hand to win this race. And lost.

Gosh, I just feel awful about this.

:rofl:

This looks like a trend I could enjoy :)

:hi: sis!

:hug: :loveya:

[PCIntern]

5. This is going to be a universal trend...

no better news as far as I'm concerned. It shall be written that Bush the Younger served to utterly destroy the Rethug 'majority' for many many years...

[Hekate]

28. From your keyboard to God's eyes

:toast:

Hekate

[Generic Brad]

6. They have been G-O-P*wned (n/t)

[rosesaylavee]

7. 20% eh?

Well, then I doubt they will spend more. I bet they just cut this one loose and let Oberweis sink his own damn money down the hole. This is his fourth campaign for office in this state and he's not managed to get any mileage out of his name recognition. His family has marvelous ice cream. That's the only thing good to say about him.

May the NRCC see the writing on the wall and take their last remaining dollars and spend them elsewhere. Foster deserves to serve the district and will do an outstanding job representing ALL his constituents. Something, I will add, that never happened with Hastert. DEMS here have been second class citizens. I don't think Foster has it in him to be an a** to the republicans in payback. Very decent man.

[marmar]

8. It speaks volumes about the GOP brand name among Americans right now.....

.... It's right up there with Tylenol during the 1980s tampering scare or Enron after the scandal broke.

[williesgirl]

10. We can also thank Howard Dean for his "50 State" strategy. The DLC should stand up and

take notice. rec'd

[KharmaTrain]

22. Yes We Can...

Also lots of credit should go to the many unions that were on the ground and registering first time voters. Also, to the netroots who raised the money that helped Foster win the nomination and then the election. I met Bill Foster at DKos last summer...he networked and through it got the attention of Van Hollen and the DNCC that followed up with big ad buys in the past couple weeks.

It also was an organizational show of strength by various local Democratic organizations and campaigns...field work that should yield more victories with Debbie Halvorson and Dan Seals. It was great to see Jan Schakowski and Dick Durbin standing next to Bill...he'll be in very good hands in Washington.

This is Dr. Dean's strategy at work...and give credit to Chris Van Hollen who didn't hesitate to open up the DNCC resources. This is a far cry from what Rahm Emanuel did to Tammy Duckworth. Ironically Rahm did send some help in during the last week...better late than not at all.

[zabet]

11. I think we will see this

in every election to come
for a while. On all levels.
Most people are sick
to death of the Republicans
thanks to chimpy.
I know I am.

[pinto]

12. kick

:kick:

[burythehatchet]

14. not a peep by our political punditry - the talking points are becoming more

difficult to promulgate; the frame becomes more difficult to build. tsk

[KharmaTrain]

21. Yeppers...More Fun To Bash Clinton And Or Obama

C-SPIN barely mentioned the election this morning...they spent the rest of the time hashing Clinton/Obama and then some Heritage Institute Sock puppet sprading fear about China.

The buzz is all across the netroots...and that's a good thing. Democrats saw how they can win uncontested seats in many districts as well as this was a great example of how cooperation between the netroots, unions and the Democratic party can win a lot of open seats this November.

Consider this also a microcosm for the presidential race...an old, cranky coot who his own party can barely tolerate running on the status quo. Yep, the corporate media is silent this morning, but they've been tone deaf for years.

[hisownpetard]

15. K&R.

[madrchsod]

16. this is the district that went for keyes

this is the district that who heartily endorsed the milk nazi over more "liberal" republican candidates. the reason the district went blue is the eastern counties have changed over the years to a more liberal urban way of thinking. out here in the corn fields of the 14th they will vote republican no matter who the candidate is..even a loser like keyes or the milk nazi.

i`m thanking the men and women from the eastern counties for making our district blue. we did better than i expected out here by getting 44%...maybe in nov we can make it 51%!

reading the front page of the dixon telegraph this morning certainly made my day.....

[barb162]

17. Oberweis isn't a strong candidate; he's lost six times in a row

so I wouldn't read all that much in it. He's well-known but not a "strong" candidate. Still, it's nice to see a Democrat in Hastert's district.
:)

[Irishonly]

24. Good News

Blackwater was kicked out. Foster won. The times-they are a changin It's all for the better and I am hoping the sheeple are awakening from their stupor.

[krkaufman]

26. I like me some Obama coattails....!!

(though, admittedly, the Obama vs McCain matchup isn't wholly fair, given this election *was* in Illinois, on Obama's home turf; results might've differed in Arizona.)

Still...

Obama 1, McCain 0

woo.hoo!

[Stinky The Clown]

29. " ....... Democrats would control Tom DeLay AND Dennis Hastert’s seats ....... "

The bigger point of incredulity is why these two shitbirds - **especially** Delay - are not in prison.