OK, it's been three days...the dust is settled...I'll say it now

[Ken Burch]

Christine Cegelis is owed an apology by the whole Illinois Democratic leadership.

The results in the 6th prove that the heavy-handed campaign to stop her in the primary was a waste of time and money.

No disrespect to Tammy, but clearly, Christine would have done just as well and might have won.

Think about this the next time you get this ugly about something.

[tritsofme]

1. I don't agree

Tammy did as well as anyone could hope to do in the conservative 6th district.

Rahm's plan worked nearly everywhere else in the country, but in the DuPage County decided to stick with the devil they knew.

[EST]

2. I dislike and distrust Rahm E

His ham handed handling and interference in that particular race did nothing to endear me to him.

The showering of accolades on him for for actions which, imo, did little for winning and actually worked against the whole thing does not help to raise my opinion of their judgement.

[mopinko]

3. yup

just posted this-
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2678012&mesg_id=2678259

i hope that tammy stays in politics. too bad that she paid the price for rahm's ego. maybe next time.

[LSK]

4. hmmm, I think there are too many factors

As you know, I supported Cegelis back in the march flamewars and then worked for Duckworth at the end. I think Duckworths Iraq war injuries might have made her more attractive a candidate, but then what factor would have Cegelis's staunch anti-war position have played?

Also, the GOP robo-called the fuck out of the area. I was told by a few people that they would not vote because of the calls and even some supporters thought they were being called by the Duckworth campaign.

That being said, I canvassed some major McMansion neighborhoods and this is a major soccer mom district. Some of these people live in a bubble to some extent.

It was majorly canvassed and there was a HUGE ground game at the end.

Im just not sure if this district needed a more anti-war candidate or if this district was robo-called to death or if these people dont really give a fuck and just vote GOP regardless?

How about a DU meetup already? ;)

[mucifer]

5. I agree LSK I had canvassed people who were VERY angry about the

robocalls. Maybe the dems can make this tactic illegal. Not that it would necesarily matter. I think Cegalis would have been terribly demonized in the general election. But, that's just my opinion. We will never know. I am disappointed that we didnt gain any new congressional seats here in IL. My mom joked with me that with all the dems nationwide who won, I volunteered for the losers. :) Seals was the one I worked for most and it was a bummer when he lost. Oh well better name recognition for these guys next time I guess. Who knows, maybe they will learn from their mistakes.I did notice quite a few mistakes in Seals campain.

[Norquist Nemesis]

10. They just vote GOP regardless

This is the land of Wheaton College, Moody Bible Institute, and a whole lot of upper 2%ers rounding it out. At least that's my impression.

I'm stunned (and thrilled) to even have a Democrat to vote for with any of the local and state races. But we're making progress!

[AtLiberty]

11. Wheaton College might surprise you...

While it is evangelical, I would say that most of the students who attend are liberal/Democratic evangelicals. Faculty members overall aren't rabid right. One Wheaton College faculty member, Dr. Lindy Scott, ran in the primary for IL 6 as a Democrat. He was personally pro-life, but was not in favor of changing legislation or forcing his belief on others. He was in favor of stamping out the causes of unwanted pregnancy -- poverty and ignorance. He said that too much time and energy was placed on the unborn and those about to die, saying that we needed "to focus on life between the womb and the tomb."

Aside from his personal stance on abortion, much of his platform was solidly Democratic. Scott had the backing of many faculty and students at WC.

Wheaton College isn't like Bob Jones University.

[mopinko]

12. i concur

they are definitely the religious left.

[dogman]

6. In your dreams.

The campaign they waged against Tammy was monumental. They brought in the heaviest hitters and huge sums of money in a strong GOP District. Look at the election results throughout this District, Tammy did well in comparison.

[CarbonDate]

7. Tammy made them fight for a district that should have been safe.

That made a difference for other candidates across the U.S.

It wasn't for nothing.

[mopinko]

8. were there any exit polls?

i have to suspect, knowing the area, that there was plenty of funny business in the count, and i think that the progressives that were supporting christine would have been on top of that more.
she sure could not have done any worse, if rahm had gotten behind her.
and it would have done so much more to grow the local party.
i hope the campaign is looking over votes and canvasses, and will come forward when they find the irregularities that i know are there. this district is dirty.

[dogfacedboy]

9. Based on the results of the last time...

...I believe that Cegelis would have beaten Roskam. She took 44% of the vote in a race with Henry Hyde, an extremely popular and respected incumbant.