The Courier reported that 14th district Democratic candidate Bill Foster, millionaire and scientist, has two offices and a campaign staff of seventy. If both he and Oberweis, who has already spent $1.6 million, win their respective nominations, one can only imagine what records are going to be set for campaign spending in Illinois.

A revealing bit about Foster:

In forums, debates and most interviews, he often takes responses directly from his notes, but he’s quick to point out that’s not a sign of unfamiliarity with the issues.

Instead, it’s his way of avoiding a fatal campaign mistake he fears could undo the hard work of his supporters.

You’re “always 20 seconds away from ruining your campaign,” Foster explains. “The same is true in government. You really have to have someone who thinks before speaking.” (source: Elgin Courier News 1/28/08)

I think that sort of timidity and paranoia about committing a gaffe will not serve him well in the election. Voters do expect candidates to be able to think on their feet, and not look like a deer in the headlights when they get an unexpected question for which they don’t have notes or a rehearsed answer.

Maybe we should throw him such a question tonight?

Don’t forget the candidates forum is tonight at 7pm at the GBL. Hopefully the snow won’t reduce turnout too much…

Filed under: politics.
Follow responses to this entry through its RSS feed.
You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.