John Laesch (IL-14) -
With the way things are going for Dennis Hastert right now, we need John's campaign powerful enough to throw Denny an anvil. That takes major money & support.
Supporting Laesch would be money well spent, IMHO. He can keep Denny at home, protecting his own seat, instead of out helping other Republican candidates.
Laesch seems like a good guy, from what I can gather. My only concerns about his race are:
1. Only one sitting House Speaker has failed re-election since the Civil War (Tom Foley, in 1994).
2. The '04 numbers for Bush v. Kerry show Bush winning by a fairly solid margin (10 % pts, which is technically landslide territory).
3. Coach Denny isn't a polarizing figure, more a lovable loser/buffoon type.
Do you have any head 2 head #'s showing Laesch within striking distance now (10-15 pts behind)? And who's covering the race, netroots-wise? I know that you've got SoapBlox Chicago, but what else? And will the ethics stuff stick and snowball?
From my experience, that's the sort of thing that gets you Big Boy netroots attention.
I agree. This is why I am not very excited about his race. Maybe next cycle it will become competitive, especially if Denny retires.
Coach Denny isn't a polarizing figure, more a lovable loser/buffoon type
CORRECTION: He WASN'T a polarizing figure...He is now. The people in his district - Especially the REPUBLICAN Farmers - Are ready to tar & feather him over his "highway". It will cut right through the middle of farms that have been in their families for generations.
His FORMER supporters are now LIVID!
Also, the demographics in his district have changed dramatically in the last two years. Kendall County is one of the fastest growing areas in the US right now.
Democrats are moving in, in droves.
