GOP takes aim at Emanuel in Duckworth-Roskam race

[wndycty]

I'm sure PDA/DFA can send their Rahm bashing playbooks to the GOP, unless of course they are still using them.

GOP takes aim at Emanuel in Duckworth-Roskam

March 29, 2006

BY LYNN SWEET SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

The volume in the heated House duel between Democrat Tammy Duckworth and Republican Peter Roskam was cranked up Tuesday as Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) became a factor in the race.

Emanuel, the chief of the House Democratic political operation and one of Duckworth's prime sponsors, was targeted by Republicans Tuesday in the contest for the seat being vacated by Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.).

There may be an emerging GOP strategy to try to make Emanuel radioactive in this race as Democrats continue to demonize former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas), who is facing state campaign money laundering charges in Texas.

Roskam, now a state senator from Wheaton, worked as a legislative aide for DeLay over a seven- or eight-month period in the 1980s and Democrats are making his association with DeLay an issue.

The National Republican Congressional Committee sent out a release with the taunting headline, "Tammy Duckworth-WWRD: What Would Rahm Do.''
-snip-

Curiously, Democrats following the 6th District primary who were Cegelis backers channeled far more anger toward Emanuel than Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who was as instrumental, if not more, than Emanuel in getting Duckworth to run and helping her to win.

But it was Emanuel who essentially pulled the rug out from Cegelis early on by shopping around for another candidate, so he wears the jacket.
-snip-

http://www.suntimes.com/output/elect/cst-nws-sweet29.html

[Name removed]

1. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Inland]

2. Well, there's one aimed right at Cegelis supporters.

It's telling that the repugs have avoided the usual bete noires of Hillary or Teddy, and are making an association with Emanuel who has no more baggage than the incredibly successful Clinton administration---and hard feelings from the primary.

Wonder if Cegelis supporters are going to bite?

[wndycty]

3. Don't generalize all Cegelis supporters. . .

. . .there was absolutely nothing wrong with supporting Christine. Too many people busted their asses for her and we are all better off for that. There was a faction that went to far in their bashing of Duckworth/Rahm, but please don't paint all of Christine's supporters with a broad brush.

[Inland]

4. I wasn't. But it's aimed there.

Clearly, the republicans are fishing for disaffection. I'm asking who is going to bite. If nobody, all the better. But clearly somebody on the other side has a reason.

[salin]

5. Isn't it time for folks to drop grievances and come together

for a win - a takeover of Hyde's seat?

I was not a part of the sniping. I did not have a "favorite" candidate. But watching the back and forth sniping bothers me deeply.

Duckworth backers - your candidate won! Yea! Now help her win in the general by pulling together with others rather than trying to maintain snarky battles that divide and show absolutely no grace - your candidate's behavior far outshines those who perpetuate battles on boards against those who should/could/are likely to be/ allies against Roskam. Stop the baiting, and ignore those who bait you.

Cegalis backers - your candidate is out of the race. It was a vigorous race and down to the wire. Let go of the hard feelings, ignore those baiting you, and stop baiting back. Undoubtedly your candidate in the primary will be supportive of Duckworth - as she KNOWS who the overall opponent is, and how difficult the race will be given its national profile. Time to put the petty back and forth exchanges on the boards and the sniping aside ... the energy is much better put to use trying to take over congress. If you can't find yourself actively pushing this race, then just step back from it and let those who will do the work on this race, and devote yourself to one of the many other important races that are out there and will help us ALL accomplish what we desire - a takeover of the House that will allow for some oversight/accountability of bushco.

Just had to say my piece from observation. As I learned in the 2004 primaries, noone listens to such pleas, so I make them recognizing that they will probably fall on deaf ears - as folks prefer to self-righteously bait claiming that it is always in retaliation for a bait from the other side. If anyone hears my pleas, and can agree - please sound off here, so that we can get back to business. Otherwise... carry on - and know that you are chasing away a whole lot of folks like myself who have a lot of energy to give - but who don't want those energies to be poisoned by bitter, petty infights - and wash hands of these efforts and focus elsewhere (as in other races.)

[Tom Rinaldo]

7. Yep. n/t

[acmejack]

8. I was quite happy to

Until some parties decided that PDA & DFA were supporting the GOP and posted that information! I quote: "I'm sure PDA/DFA can send their Rahm bashing playbooks to the GOP, unless of course they are still using them." I take vigorous exception to that type of thing & when I try to do so politely, I am accused of threatening the OP & then of being a hypocrite? Give me a break!

I've apologized to this person after the race trying to let bygones be bygones, what can I do? Do you have some suggestions, there are a few of us on this board despite recent moves on here that seem to be moving DU to the right, which I personally find quite interesting. You do notice the absence of some longtime posters as of late? Tombstoned after long memberships here, interesting indeed.

[salin]

9. Ignore it

let those behaving poorly, do so alone, as in that case the actions will reflect upon the baiter - rather than be viewed as back and forth retaliation feuds.

When it gets ugly - I stick to LBN and GD - and let the dramas go on without me.

The same phenom you refer to happened during the 04 primaries as well - heck that is how we got a seperate forum from GD. Those who end up going, often have not yet decided to not be baited - and to respond to attacks in more muted, sarcastic short answers rather than going toe to toe attacks which oft result (from both sides) in termination of postings. It is a process that troubles me - and I hate to see the dynamics kick back in. Especially when the stakes for 06 are so high.

[acmejack]

11. You are correct of course.

I just can't help myself. What starts out as a totally well intentioned action ends up as idiocy. Another Aw shucks moment, I suppose...

I actually like Duckworth!

[ChairmanAgnostic]

12. good words. Say them again. LOUDER! And AGAIN. til they all hear them.

[madfloridian]

16. The party treated Cegelis and her supporters as non-existent.

When TPTB ignore a whole group within the party, never mention them, never give a nod to them, never acknowledge their presence...then something is very wrong.

It is happening in Florida in at least two districts. When I called the offices of the DCCC and DSCC leaders who are recruiting the millionaires, though Republican, I got the usual "what are you talking about" routine.

The aide at one office said I was not telling the truth. They insisted Tim Mahoney was a Democrat. I said not when he was recruited. Dead silence. I said are you there? Do you want me to send you information on this race and another one? No, they said. It was though I did not matter at all, as though they were on one track, and anything that did not fit into that track was cast aside.

When party leaders pretend others running are just non-existent, or ask them to get out of the race, they are saying to the people in the party....you don't matter.

[skipos]

6. I am staying out of this one

Cegelis would have been been a good candidate. Duckworth is a good candidate.
They are both good democrats and far, far better than any republican out there.
Lets get out of the circular firing squad and focus on winning in Novemember.
This seat has been in republican hands for a LONG time, no?
We need all the help we can get to win in Nov.

[salin]

10. rather than sniping from different camps... like you I relish the thought

of the Hyde seat going democratic. Henry Hyde of the Hyde amendment, Henry Hyde of the Hypocritical "House Managers" of the Impeachment fiasco, Henry Hyde - conservative appologist gasbag - leaving a legacy - of a future democratic district... wouldn't that be sweet!

[JNelson6563]

13. Thanks for keeping it alive

Divisiveness is a way of life for some. One would think a dismal electoral loss would serve as a ride on the Clue Bus. Guess not.

Julie

[wndycty]

14. I get criticized when I start threads like this, however will threads

. . .critical of the DCCC get criticized?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2541302

I think debate of these issues are healthy, but lets be consistent. Are comments/threads critical of PDA/DFA unacceptable and comments/threads critical of DCCC acceptable.

The arguments against decisiveness do hit home with me, however I would like to think there will be consistency.

I have deserved the criticism I received in this thread and others, HOWEVER I would hope that everyone is consistent. Unity is not a one way street.

[AtomicKitten]

15. I don't support the GOP taking aim at ANY Democrat.

And it's time this race is put to bed. It's over. I can't believe people would sit still and let the GOP stick their nose in Dem business and stir up more unrest in the party.

At some point, people need to turn and face the real enemy, the GOP.