In his update to Johnathan's "Examining the DCCC v. Netroots Meme" Chris laments (I corrected his spelling):

Did any grassroots and movement candidates lose in the House once they got out of the primary? Makes you wonder how Christine Cegelis would have done in IL-06.

As anyone who's read this blog since the primary is aware, I was a big proponent of Christine Cegelis' campaign and a big detractor of Duckworth's. How Christine would have faired in this race is anyone's guess, and I can only dream of what we could have done with the type of resources Duckworth's campaign had along with Christine's strong anti-war populist message.  However, right after a close loss is not the time, especially for the volunteers who worked their asses off for Duckworth. I remember how I felt after the primary. They can't feel much better and deserve credit for working so hard for a candidate they believed in or to just to try and regain the House for Democrats. Now is not the time to play "what if Rahm backed Christine."

Instead, this post is about what Christine Cegelis did post-primary. I think it's an and astonishing example of what one person is capable of doing for the Party even after it threw her under the bus.

Rahm Emanuel told us that Tammy Duckworth was more "electable" than Christine Cegelis because of Duckworth's service in Iraq, and her sacrifice.  I said at the time that Republicans always attack candidates on their strength.  They've been doing it for years, but the Democratic leadership still hasn't caught on.

From Talking Points Memo:

GOP candidate Roskam accuses Democratic opponent Duckworth of wanting to 'cut and run' in Iraq.

Duckworth, a double amputee, lost both legs while serving in Iraq.

Carolyn Kay
MakeThemAccountable.com

PLEASE CIRCULATE AS FAR AND WIDE AS POSSIBLE --->>

Paul Hackett is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the November Victory Democratic Challenger Convention August 18 through 20, 2006. Participants are fundraising to cover expenses for the event.  Here is a message from the 100+ Democratic Congressional Candidates and staff who form the November Victory discussion group (Cross-posted to Philosophe Forum and SoapBlox/LiberIL View):

Lynn Sweet's column has the story.

Christine Cegelis, who lost a three-way Democratic House primary battle last month, said she endorses the winner, wounded Iraq war vet Tammy Duckworth.

"I certainly endorse Tammy over Peter Roskam. I hope for a Demo-cratic win in November, and I wish her all the luck in the world,'' Cegelis said

This is a classy move, and a smart one.  She took some time, took a deep breath, and then did the right thing.  That's going to matter when the next political opportunity comes up for her.

The acrimony is (SLOWLY) dying down. The raw, festering wounds have been "salved" somewhat by time and space. It was one of the nastiest races I've seen in 26 years of politics. And I've been involved in races from small town Alderman, to Chicago Aldermen and Mayors, and even Presidential Campaigns. I'm talking "inner circle" involved, more often than not.

The Duckworth Supporters...Or more accurately...The "Anti-Cegelis" (for a variety of reasons) bloggers have figured out (I hope) that they were only fanning the flames of dissension, by not allowing the Cegelis Camp an opportunity to vent their frustrations, hurt and anger after the election. And in retrospect, I think we can see now that they/we were just desperately trying to be heard, above the din of "conventional wisdom", before the election.

All that being said, let's talk about what it's going to take to move forward:

You know I was listening to Christine Cegelis on Laura Flanders' show last night and she said that her and her people, the organization of volunteers that her campaign excited and built up were not going to go work for Duckworth, but instead they are going to go and help local progressive candidates not backed by the establishment. I think they are doing the right thing. Duckworth has the establishment support they obviously just expect people to vote for her anyway.

I too have meditated a lot on the results and the various events coloring the race in Illinois 06.  

As someone who has spent a lot of time thinking about the Cegelis-Duckworth race these past few months, I was pretty shocked by the (closeness of the) result, and struggled all of yesterday with the question of how to interpret it and what to say.  I think I'll just stick with a personal narrative.