I have re-posted this article as a reminder to the right wingnuts on Gather about how clearly the bankruptcy of the Republican Party was evident long before November.
It is amazing to see how much denial remains about the utter failure of the Bush administration and the political fundamentalism that it represented.
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One of the benefits of the 2006 elections was the welcome replacement of the Speaker of the House.
A long-term Representative of the 14th Illinois Congressional House district, Dennis Hastert, was as crooked and slimey a product of machine politics as one can imagine. His contributions to government included the strong-arming of the Bush agenda through the House, and a series of shady economic deals that are still being investigated.
Unhappy at losing the perks and attention as Speaker, Hastert resigned last November, and the Governor of Illinois set the special election for today.
This is a long-term Republican stronghold.
The GOP candidate was Jim Oberweis, owner of a large milk and ice cream conglomerate. He benefits greatly from federal dairy price supports.
Oberweis ran on the McCain platform of "victory in Iraq" and the continuation of Bush policies on health care and the environment.
McCain campaigned for Oberweis in Illinois.
Opposing him was Bill Foster, a nuclear physicist and entrepreneur who ran on a platform of fundamental change in Washington and a visceral rejection of the Bush administration.
The results are in, Foster won decisively.
The Democrats take the 14th Illinois District for the first time in decades.
It is only the beginning of the reclamation of our government.
Happy Days Are Here Again!
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Comments: 24
The brigade of GOP ideologues crowed that this represented a repudiation of the Democratic Congress.
Reasonable voices noted that these were uncontested seats, and that the Republicans had not gained any strength in the House.
This special election is very different. The Dems have gained one, while the GOP has lost one.
Obama campaigned for Foster, and the district is now looked upon as a likely Democratic pick-up in November.
Ron, I believe that this is a preview of more contests in November. The GOP is no where near the center of the political debate. Bush set the tone for six years, and there is a huge backlash toward the failures of this administration.
It is GREAT, Don
What I loved about this contest is that it was run very much on the terms that the Democrats versus McCain contest will be run.
We CAN do it, Vicky!
Just keep berating each other.
If we don't unite , we are surely doomed.
Beware of the monster that is rove.
Well-said, Rubicon.
I despise the blathering talking heads.
And, I despise the overly-cautious over-explained tacking to every wind aspect of the Democratic campaigns.
That is precisely why I loved this race:
Foster ran a campaign emphasizing refreshing candor about the failures of Bush policy, and Oberweis ran as John McCain - no changes in health care, no changes in the environment, stay to victory in Iraq.
That line is priceless, especially since the smarmy little ass from Connecticut would be improved by a slinky pastel pants suit.
It is too esay to compromise and temporize after the election.
On behalf of the Democratic candidates, however, a lot depends on the scale of the Democratic victories in November.
Right now, the one-vote Democratic majority in the Senate depends on Joe Lieberman.
This has to be the most interesting presidential race I've ever seen.
It will certainly reverse the Republican sweep of Congress in 1992.
I don't believe that the impact of internet news communication has been appreciated fully.
there are lots of things going on below the "surface" of this election year - one of those things being the unprecedented number of new voters who are overwhelmingly Democratic.
"I despise the blathering talking heads."
What I despise even more are the people who repeat what they blather, with an "in the know" posture.
Well noted, Sandy.
At the very least, it will entirely undo the Republican Captivity of the government since 1992 and the Contract With America.
It is possible that the marriage of convenience between religious fundamentalists and free-market fundamentalists will be broken entirely.
We might even hope that the whole Reagan hogwash about "Supply-Side" deficits and the claptrap about "small government" will be obliterated.