The Presidential campaign is exiting and important, and will have a major impact on the national party. However, underneath the national radar, another, equally important effort to change the Democratic Party is taking place: primary campaigns against Bush Dog Democrats. One of those primaries will take place in just twenty-two days on February 5th, as Mark Pera challenges Dan Lipinski. The 3rd congressional district of Illinois is the battleground, and it also happens to be the bluest district in the nation held by a Bush Dog. The simple, blunt truth is that if we can't win here, we are going to have a difficult time winning anywhere. This primary is a key test of progressive strength in the party, and as such will have a major impact on Democratic behavior in Congress. The case against
Deep Blue District: Lipinski represents an overwhelmingly Democratic district, with a partisan voting index of Democrat +10.3, and where Kerry won 59% of the vote in 2004. This is a blue district in absolutely no danger of falling into Republican hands. It should be represented by a strong progressive.
Nepotism Lipinski never had to campaign for the seat, not even in a primary. When he first won back in 2002, his father actually was the Democratic nominee. However, after his father won the primary, he stepped aside and had the junior Lipinski placed on the ballot in his stead. In other words, Lipinski has no real campaign experience, and only scored his seat in Congress through pure nepotism.
Until his dad crowned him a congressman, he spent 15 years out of town working at universities in North Carolina, Indiana and Tennessee. Somehow, while being a resident of other states, he managed to vote here, not by absentee ballot but in person. Election judges in his father's 23rd Ward marked him present in every Chicago election since at least 1990, according to official records.
Oddly, Lipinski, can't recall casting those votes. "I'm trying to think back to that time," he told me. "I honestly cannot remember."
Now the voter records are missing. This is clear voter fraud perpetrated by a local machine. Lipinski probably did not vote for over 15 years.
Bush Dog: Lipinski is a Bush Dog who voted with Bush on the war and on FISA. In fact, the IL-03 is by far the bluest district represented by a Bush Dog. We will never have a progressive governing majority if Bush Dogs occupy seats like this.
Hard Right Anti-Choice: In addition to being a Bush Dog, Lipinski is staunchly anti-choice. He has a zero rating from NARAL and Planned Parenthood. He doesn't believe in family planning at all, in fact.
Not Progressive On Much Of Anything: In addition to his records on Iraq, FISA and choice, he also is below average for a Democrat on immigration, gets a big fat zero from Progressive Punch on GLBT issues, and only a 50% score from the Drum major institute on progressive family issues. Basically, he sucks at just about everything.
Already has a primary opponent: Recruiting a primary challenger against Lipinski isn't even necessary. Mark Pera has already signed on to run against him. You can compare some of their views here.. The simplest way to put it is this: Dan Lipinski is one of the worst examples of Democrats out of step with their districts. Mark Pera is a real progressive who has a good chance to defeat him. If we want to change the behavior of the Democratic Congress, this will be one of our very best chances to do so.
This is designed to be a blogosphere-wide push to help bring victory in IL-03. We are targeting 5,000 donors for Mark Pera on Act Blue, and we started today at about 2,300. Already, nearly 200 new donors have participated. Even thought I had already participated, I've chipped in, too. This is how we can make a better Democratic Party, but it won't happen unless we donate to all of the campaigns that campaigns that can change the party. The Presidential primary isn't the only way to make change, and through the IL-03 we can have a huge impact even before November rolls around.
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