In a huge sign of the way the winds are blowing in the extremely important Illinois 3rd primary next Tuesday, Representative Luis Gutierrez, the only member of Congress listed on Dan Lipinski's endorsement page, has now un-endorsed him:
Many progressives were bitterly disappointed when Congressman Luis Gutierrez went along with the powerful Daley Machine to endorse reactionary incumbent Dan Lipinski in his hotly contested bid for re-election. But, like so many politicians from Chicago, regardless of how they are on national issues-- and Gutierrez is good-- when it comes to local issues, the Machine rules…. So it came as quite the shock in Chicagoland politics today when Gutierrez officially withdrew his endorsement of Lipinski.
Blue America, Blue Majority, Democracy for America (DFA), Citizens Action/Illinois, Democratic Leadership for the 21st Century, Illinois Planned Parenthood Council, Irish-Americans for Pera, Jewish Political Alliance of Illinois, Mexicanos for Political Progress, NARAL/Pro-Choices America, Northside DFA, NOW - National Organization for Women, Oak Park DFA, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, United Citizens for a Better America, United Muslims and Arabs for a Better America
I have argued it before, and I will argue it again: victories in Democratic primaries like IL-03 and MD-04 will have more of an impact on Democratic congressional behavior than will the outcome of the presidential primary. We can only influence Democrats in Congress when they believe we have serious, legitimate means of pressuring them, including removing them from office. So, with only a few days left, I am asking you again: Donate to Mark Pera for Congress. If you live in the area or if you can make the trip, volunteer for Mark Pera. We have very few chances to influence national Democratic behavior like this. We have to make what few chances we have count.
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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