Replace Rahm Emanuel

by Jerome Armstrong, Sat Jan 24, 2009 at 02:43:00 PM EST

Update [2009-1-24 19:42:42 by Jerome Armstrong]:

If you are in the DC this coming Monday evening, come to Local 16.

Can you make it? Here's the ActBlue link.

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That sounds good, right? This below is from the email that I'm inviting everyone around DC to attend.

Hi, I wanted to make sure you know about a fun event this coming Monday evening in support of a really inspiring progressive who is running in a special election to replace Rahm Emanuel in the House. Can you make it? Here's the link:

Mr. Geoghegan Comes to Washington

Tom Geoghegan is a famed labor lawyer who wrote pro-worker books like "Which Side Are You On?" David Sirota calls Tom "one of the greatest living progressives in America" and a writer at The Nation wrote "Tom could be the next Paul Wellstone."

There will be happy hour drink specials, and a raffle at the event will include autographed books by Rick Perlstein, David Sirota, Jerome Armstrong, and the January 21st Obama Inauguration issue of the New York Times.

Tom has already raised over $100,000 in mostly small-dollar contributions, but he'll need $500,000 to win. Tickets are $30. Raffle tickets are $20 each in advance, $25 at the door. Every dollar really goes a long way, so the more you can give, the better.

Would be great if you could make it, and help support this progressive candidate. Just click here to sign up:

Mr. Geoghegan Comes to Washington

From people I've talked with, I learned the campaign filed over 3,000 signatures (900 required), iirc. The election is in the beginning of March, so only about 5 weeks away.

The general lay of the land looks like this: The party endorsement meeting happened, and there will be no endorsement. Daley says he will not endorse anyone, and no word from Rahm, but its not likely with all that's gone down with Blagojevich deal, so its wide open.

It's a special election, which means low turnout. Five or six well funded candidates means vote will be quite split, and any advantages of someone with a ton of money will not be as large as it would in a general election. Money raised thus far appears to not be an advantage for anyone. Tom is reaching the goal of having enough money to execute on his field and message plan. His
message of economic security is playing really well and he's got authenticity on these issues that no one else can match.

We will know in the next few days who has turned in the needed signatures to make the ballot. It's going to be a split vote, and Tom, a real true progressive, has a great shot to win this wide open race.

Tags: Tom Geoghegan (all tags)

Comments

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I kicked in $50

the week he announced and plan to give again in February.

I would love to get a real progressive representing this district. It's fantastic that the machine split.

by desmoinesdem 2009-01-23 11:29AM | 0 recs

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Re: Replace Rahm Emanuel

The word true progressive has no meaning coming from any of he major bloggers after Gillibrand. It really doesn't.

by bruh3 2009-01-23 11:36AM | 0 recs

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Re: Replace Rahm Emanuel

Would your view change if she modifies her more conservative views? I ask because she's already swerved to the left on gay rights. I fully expect that she will run to the center on immigration issues as well and support "comprehensive" reform.

In other words, I agree with you that she's unlikely to be as progressive as one would like a NY Senator to be, but I doubt she'll be anywhere near as conservative as her (brief) Congressional record would imply.

by HSTruman 2009-01-23 12:17PM | 0 recs

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Re: Replace Rahm Emanuel

No because I know how this could also work out (a la "Lieberman"

Run as a Dem during the time close to an election to sufficiently fool unengaged voters- which will be many voters.

She will come across as "progressive" for the next two years, and then once her 6 year term is secured, she will move hard right.

Strategically, were I her, and I were a conservative, that's how I would run.

Others will argue- "you can't be certain." I would respond, 'I am not willing to take the risk."

The problem also comes on non-hot button issues. In other words, part of this is does she have a record that says she can be trusted no to move right of center?

It's easy to do a check list, but what happens when you go off the reservation?

I am not a member of the faith based community that the left is becoming. I am also not a believer in putting conservative- even sort of conservative- people in power where they do not have ot be. If this were a conservative state, I would support her. But it's not,and thus I dont support her and I don't trust that just because she acts like a liberal right now, that will remain the same. Especially on someone so willing to flip flop as she is on issues.

by bruh3 2009-01-23 12:29PM | 0 recs

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Re: Replace Rahm Emanuel

Fair enough. I'm not as pessimistic at this point, but I certainly understand your concerns.

For what it's worth, my guess is that her position on the issues mirrors HRC's and Schumer's in just about every way.

by HSTruman 2009-01-23 12:49PM | 0 recs

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Re: Replace Rahm Emanuel

The only line I retain or accept from Reagan is 'trust but verify." This along with accountability through pressure is how I view politicans.

by bruh3 2009-01-23 01:19PM | 0 recs

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if I lived in NY

I would think very seriously about supporting a primary challenger in 2010.

It takes real talent on Paterson's part to pick the most conservative of the 26 House Dems from NY, and the only one whose seat is almost certain to go Republican.

by desmoinesdem 2009-01-23 12:49PM | 0 recs

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Re: if I lived in NY

She's going to be primaried. Whether it will mattr we shall see. My concerns regarding her position on immigration stands. the fact is she is to the far right on an issue that could splinter the Democratic vote.

by bruh3 2009-01-23 01:20PM | 0 recs

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ironically

I've heard the theory she is actually quite progressive but was micromanaged by Emanuel.

by Bob Brigham 2009-01-23 12:44PM | 0 recs

4a2fab88-ed3b-47a4-8f14-3ec8a24504ac_normal

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Re: ironically

Could be, I'll certainly hold off judgment until she votes, just as I would have if Kennedy had been appointed.

by Jerome Armstrong 2009-01-23 12:51PM | 0 recs

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Re: low turnout

Special Election does not necessarily mean low turnout: one high turn out special was the special to elect Bill Foster to replace Denny Hastert here in Illinois.

Special Election means no one knows who is going to turn out, or how many. Will voters be jazzed that Rep. Emanuel is now COS Emanuel and come out to elect someone new? Will they feel a mandate to keep change coming? Will they be bored with the whole election thing (didn't we just do that?)? No one knows.

I think Tom has a great shot to win this race, as does Mike Quigley. Fritchey has gotten a lot of good publicity lately, and he has some alderman/ward backing which could be helpful. But many of these wards are pretty independent: they may not vote the way the committeeman tells them to vote.

by Maven 2009-01-23 12:42PM | 0 recs

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Re: low turnout

Turnout in the Foster v. Oberweis race was about 23% whereas turnout on November 4th was about 75%. So yeah, that's low turnout.

by potus2020 2009-01-24 04:31PM | 0 recs

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Apples and Oranges

You know what Maven meant. Don't be cute. :)

by Jeff Wegerson 2009-01-24 06:33PM | 0 recs

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Re: Replace Rahm Emanuel

Jerome,

Thanks for doing this event -- Tom is a great candidate (and for the person who questions that he is a "true progressive" just read some of his many writings spanning decades of progressive thought). But he seriously does need money -- not that he isn't doing a good job of raising it, but with fourteen candidates in the race (Oberman dropped out yesterday) the press will want to only talk about a limited number of perceived "top tier" candidates. He will need some serious money not only to win the race but to get the valuable earned media that will come with that.

by citygirl 2009-01-24 12:50AM | 0 recs