Dems could have won the 49th
October 5th, 2008
Democrats could have won Tim Schmitz’s 49th district seat in the Illinois House this year, but instead they nominated a screaming liberal, Rachel Shattuck. In her announcement speech the first thing she mentions is being an Iraq War protester and a MoveOn.org volunteer, things she must be very proud of. She quotes Bono, Paul Wellstone and Jeffrey Sachs. If you’re not familiar with Mr. Sachs, he’s a Columbia University economist who wants to send nearly $200 billion a year to Africa to “end” poverty.
She wants to convert Illinois’s flat income tax–something we actually have correct here in Illinois–into a progressive tax system, which translates into a tax increase for Illinois families and more money for Springfield to spend as it sees fit.
When you read through all her positions, it’s clear that Democrats could not have nominated somebody who was more liberal than Rachel Shattuck. Do they really think the 49th district is a liberal district? What were they thinking?
This was an election where I could have endorsed and voted for a Democratic candidate for the 49th district (so we can get rid of Tim Schmitz), if he or she was at least somewhat conservative, in other words, a moderate Democrat.
As an incumbent Republican, Schmitz is invulnerable in the primary, so the only way he can be removed is through the general election. A smart Democratic strategy would have been to nominate a moderate Democrat–or at least someone who would run as a moderate Democrat–and go after disaffected Republican voters and only after Republican voters. They should have assumed that Democrats would have showed up at the booth and voted Democrat anyway, and that the only voters that mattered were Republicans who were eager to get rid of Tim Schmitz. I think that would have been a winning strategy.
But nominating a screaming liberal for the 49th is a losing strategy. Sorry guys. Try again in two years.
Miss Shattuck is a very well educated, responsible woman that would be a dymamite lawmaker - the kind of gutsy, courageous leadership we need! BUT _ please get the facts straight - the Kane Dems didn’t find Rachel - she found them. Funny thing - Rachel believes that Democrats should have democratic values and principles!! and when she found out that the Kane Dems didn’t care to find a candidate to run against the 10 year incumbent, Rachel stepped up to the plate -
Posted October 8th, 2008 at 4:05 pmRachel cares about things like dignified, affordable health care for all, a fair and equitable public education for every child (because it is right but also in our best economic interest) THE ENVIRONMENT (her opponent has a 22% rating in this area) and most importantly, Rachel believes in talking about the issues that matter to the voters - not telling them what special interests want to hear.
Mark my words - Rachel will be elected to public office if not this time, in the near future. And we will all be better off for it!
An endorsement from someone with the notoriety of Laurel Bault certainly confirms the accuracy of Elginite’s characterization of Rachel Shattuck. Maybe Michael Pfleger will toss in a good word for her, too, even if she is white.
Posted October 8th, 2008 at 8:32 pmBe nice now, Rick :)
Ms. Bault, I appreciate your comment, but my critique of Rachel Shattuck stands. She is too liberal for the district. She is campaigning as though she is in a primary…
Posted October 14th, 2008 at 9:37 pmI just don’t see it. Don’t see how a democrat could beat a repulican here in the 49th. Really like our current representation…even if you don’t agree with him all the time, he still represents our area really well.
Posted October 15th, 2008 at 2:38 pmSo RS - you are saying that a public servant should change who they are and what they believe according to a election calendar? If you haven’t noticed, people are tired of being told one thing - and getting another. People are sick of “finger in the wind” politics. This is Ms. Shattuck’s first run at public office - and I hope that she remains trustworthy and authentic in her approach to campaigning - again, it is what we all deserve in our elected officials.
Posted October 16th, 2008 at 11:25 amWell, I think it’s important that Ms. Shattuck actually moderate her views if she wants to win a general election. She can start by stop reading the New York Times, stop watching MSNBC and stop hanging out on Kos. If she does that she is well on her way to becoming a moderate, electable Democrat :)
Posted October 16th, 2008 at 10:00 pmI saw Ms. Shattuck speak at an event. She has a lot of maturing to do. I personally find it offensive that she would even hope to represent us without really working up to a position of leadership like a State Rep’s job. She just comes accross as so weak on the issues and naive in thinking that taxpayers should just be called upon time and again to pay for everything. My husband and I work hard for what we bring in and she wants to tax us more with increasing the income tax?? How much more socialistic can our state become? I am also offended at her pro-choice stance. I value life, and she has the nerve to say she is okay with allowing people to just destroy life? That’s just criminal as far as I am concerned.
Posted October 17th, 2008 at 10:32 amRS and Sarah -
Posted October 18th, 2008 at 10:43 amWatch the numbers for Obama - you guys are in the minority -
I agree Ms. Shattuck has maturing to do. She is only now 24 - but she is telling you not what you want to hear - but taking leadership on the issues - and telling you the truth.
If you listen completely you would know that tax reform in Illinois is NOT about raising the tax burden on the middle and working class - but creating some fairness within the system- right now the lowest income earners in Illinois pay 10% + in tax burgen - while the top wage earners pay under 5% -we are taxing our poverty instead of our wealth - how smart is that? Then - we are not giving all children right here in Elgin the choices needed through a strong public education to be productive citzens rather than tax burdens (public aid, prison) what makes more sense?
If we are ever going to move ahead in this state and in this country - we need to get educated ourselves and start demanding truth and authenticity from our lawmakers.
Get your head out of the sand Laurel. I think hard working people like me and my husband are tired of paying more for everything every time we turn around. Rachel is too young and naive to run for anything. I would suggest she take off her rose colored glasses and face the real world for a bit. You might benefit from it as well. She isn’t showing any leadership, mearly mimicking the campaign cry of Obama.
Posted October 19th, 2008 at 12:02 pmSarah -
Check her bio Sarah - she has been active politically since before Obama came on the seen - no rose colored glasses here dear - just have the facts as to what we need to do to change this state around - for far too long people like you and your husband have been carrying the tax burden - while the more affluent have been paying less - talk to people Sarah - you will find out that the majority support a more fair tax system that taxes our wealth rather than our poverty.
Oh - glad all the major newspapers including the Tribune endorsed that “campaign cry” of Obama’s today!
Posted October 19th, 2008 at 1:34 pmYes, Ms. Shattuck will need to mature a bit. Yes, she does see the world through “happy glasses”. It just boils down to the simple fact that we can’t afford anymore. High taxes, food, gas, etc. has us maxed out. I know our current Rep. gets it. Someday, when Rachel moves out of her parent’s home, she’ll understand it as well.
Posted October 21st, 2008 at 4:22 pmHow does electing another democrat in this state (or nation) even change things? They have nothing new to offer except taxes. They can’t get along, can’t show any leadership, and darn if they can’t even get anything done. What they are doing is creating a new brand of class warfare that goes against everything our country was built upon.
Democrats say they hope to change things, but they can’t define change. Last time I checked, although we had our struggles, the american dream is still alive and well…assuming democrats like Ms. Shattuck don’t destroy it under this guise of change.
Going back to the issue/article above, I like what I have heard and seen about what Mr. Schmitz has done for us. He has my full support.
Posted October 21st, 2008 at 4:40 pm