PDA 2006 Election Video
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Election Information
Results of PDA-endorsed Races
The New Organizers, Part 1: What's Really Behind Obama's Ground Game
The GOP Goes Back To Its Ugly Roots
McCain and Team Have Many Ties to Gambling Industry
Has Sarah Palin Motivated the Very Voters That Obama Needs to Win?
Current Endorsed Candidate Campaigns
Click on candidate's name to see list of articles.
Jackson, Jesse (Senate, IL)Other Races of Interest
PDA-Illinois Endorses Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Rep. Jackson Is Our Choice to Be Senator
Barack Obama for President
10/02/02--The Day Obama Took the Lead
The Wall St Crisis, the 2008 Campaign and What To Do About It
Obama Gaining Crucial Ground, Polling Shifts in Some Key States
Solving Our Financial Crisis
VEEPSTAKES: Obama-Biden
Thomas Looks Towards 2010, Returns to Georgia Senate
An Hour or Two of Your Time Could Change the Congress
The America We Love
Clinton Concedes, Endorses Obama
Sen. Kerry Addresses PDA Members' Concerns
Obama, Clinton and What Has Been Achieved
Advantage Obama
USW Endorses Obama
PDA CO Chapter Endorses Joan Fitz-Gerald for Congress
Party Like It's 1932: The Obama Option
Obama Is Right
Mary Pallant Receives Ventura County Chapter Endorsement
Barack the Vote In the Remaining States
Clinton Has What It Takes
Armitage Wins Endorsement of Greater Daytona PDA Chapter
Clinton's Cringe-Worthy Moment
Give Dennis Kucinich His Due
A Personal Note from Dennis Kucinich
John Edwards Suspends Campaign
US Corporate Elite Fear Candidate Edwards
Kucinich: For the Record
Obama Thanks Kucinich for Encouraging His Backers to Make Obama Their Second Choice
Take a look at Joe Biden--There's a lot in him for Progressives
PDA Energy for Kucinich for New Hampshire!
PDA Members for Edwards take aim at Iowa
Ralph Nader supports Edwards' anti-corporate message
Edwards Delivers Speech On Lifting Up America's Middle Class
Kucinich Hits Homerun in Jefferson's Hometown
PDA Rocks!
PDA - The Freedom to Choose
Bill Richardson
Why I'm supporting John Edwards: It's time for a Progressive President with Coat Tails
Why Should PDA Support Dennis Kucinich?
Signs of Desperation?
Kucinich Will Introduce Privileged Resolution To Force Vote On Impeachment of Vice President Dick Cheney TODAY
Edwards: Senator Clinton Must Take a Stand on Peru Trade Deal
Kucinich's Challenge
Will Democrats Follow John Edwards On Trade--And Win Elections?
John Edwards: Sick of Bush's Rank Hypocrisy
Why is John Edwards leading in Iowa?
"To Build One America, End the Game"
Saving the Middle Class: A Real-Not Rhetorical-Plan
'Winners Never Quit and Quitters Never Win'
John Edwards and "You"
As if our lives depend on it…
Why Progressives Should Support John Edwards for President
Edwards is the only progressive candidate who can win the presidency
Introducing Dennis Kucinich
Edwards will give Kucinich a fight for the progressive vote
Dennis Kucinich represents the Heart & Soul of PDA
What Makes Laura Bonham Run: PDA Staff Member Runs for Utah State Legislature
Clint Curtis is changing the tide in Florida
PDA Welcomes Sen. Feingold to Maryland
Rep. Conyers Endorses PDA National Board Member John Bonifaz for Massachusetts Secretary of State
John Bonifaz for Secretary of State (MA)
As we celebrate the democratic process that has sent President-elect Barack Obama to the White House, we must also be mindful of the very undemocratic process likely to unfold in Illinois for selecting his successor in the U.S. Senate. PDA-Illinois, which represents over 3300 PDA members, seven chapters and the state coordinating team, is at work to make an impact on the process and the replacement!
Because this seat will be up for election in less than two years, the Illinois Constitution calls for the governor to appoint the replacement for Senator Obama--a throwback to the time when senators were chosen by state legislatures. The new senator will serve out President-elect Obama's term, which expires in 2010. By then, the "named person" will enjoy the advantage of incumbency and could remain in the Senate for years to come, if he or she is a viable state-wide candidate.
PDA-Illinois believes that Jesse Jackson, Jr., will represent all the citizens of Illinois. He will be a strong, clear voice for Progressive change and will support good-paying jobs, accessible health care as a right for all citizens, and bringing our troops home from Iraq soon. For these reasons, PDA-Illinois has endorsed Jesse Jackson, Jr., for the senate.
PDA-Illinois is advocating a more open selection process that allows citizens a chance to express their opinions. We have also launched a campaign to deliver at least 1000 signatures to the Governor supporting Jesse Jackson, Jr., as a viable progressive to replace Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate. To reach that goal we have launched a petition drive, online and in person. (Illinois residents can sign the petition here.)
Who will be appointed?
Who is Governor Rod Blagojevich likely to name? The list of contenders includes several progressive members of Congress, including Danny Davis (IL-07), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (IL-02), and Luis Gutierrez (IL-04). Also in consideration is Tammy Duckworth, the conservative Iraqi vet who Illinois Senator Durbin and Rahm Emanuel ran against progressive Christine Cegelis. Others in consideration are Blagojevich's ally, retiring state senate leader Emil Jones.
Blagojevich, a Democrat, has been quirky and alienating, sticking firmly to his early vow of never raising taxes and then introducing all manner of programs that cry out for new funding (1). His administration has been marred by an unrelenting blood feud between himself and other members of the Democratic Party leadership resulting in a legislative deadlock over the past two years, even though the Illinois Democratic Party has held the governor's seat and both houses of the legislature by comfortable margins. Little progressive legislation has even been proposed, let alone passed. In fact, the Democrats talk and operate as if the Republicans were still in power. In addition, Illinois, notorious for its weak ethics legislation, is a hotbed of “Pay for Play” corruption. Not surprisingly, threats of indictment continue to swirl around the governor's office.
When asked who is the most likely choice, Chicago-based political writers have mostly thrown up their hands. One says that Blagojevich doesn't listen to Durbin so Duckworth is out. Another says that Blagojevich dismisses progressives such as Jackson and Schakowsky. And Blagojevich has said he wants to appoint someone who will run strong in 2010, not a caretaker. So that would eliminate Gutierrez, who stated that he wanted to serve for only two years. Danny Davis, 72, and not well known outside of Chicago, would have a hard time winning a state-wide contest in 2010. Blagojevich may be leaning toward his pal Emil Jones. At 70, Jones is also a weak state-wide candidate-leaving the 2010 election wide open for a serious Republican challenge.
What should PDA do?
The question of whether Jesse Jackson, Jr., should receive a PDA national endorsement is before us. Because of the appointment process, the standard PDA Endorsement Policy cannot be followed. Instead, we are asking our members to vote in the poll on our blog. Shall PDA endorse Jesse Jackson Jr. for the U.S. Senate? Vote here. (Scroll to the third item in the center column.)
1 Funding for the Chicago area transit provides one example of the stress and confusion the governor's lefty-righty political actions have caused. As a condition for receiving state transit funds, Blagojevich declared that all public transportation must allow seniors to ride free. Great for seniors, but the resulting drop in revenue prompted fair increases on all other classes of riders.
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