What do you think, Illinois?

[murielm99]

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142008452

Should Lipinski have a primary challenger? Should any Democrat in this state? Is it possible for her to win this?

I don't care for Lipinski's position on things, but I don't get a vote. I don't like the idea of any of our incumbents being primaried. Thoughts? Opinions? Is there anyone here from his district?

[MattP]

1. Lipinski is a good democrat for a Republican district not Illinois

So yeah I'm for it

[murielm99]

3. I live in a red district in Illinois.

Lipinski would be a good fit here, and I might vote for him. I always say that being anti-choice is a deal breaker, but we get anti-choice repiggies in my district all the time. I might be tempted to vote for him if he was my candidate. I certainly would not vote for a repiggie.

[mopinko]

2. i dont get a vote, either, but

lipinski is all that is wrong w our party. he is part of the rightward drag.
this is a safe district. i could argue that we shouldnt primary shitty dems in purple districts. but, imho, there is no way newman loses if she wins the primary.

and even so, on general principle, yes, when we primaried bean, we got joe walsh. but he only got one term, and tammy duckworth kicked his ass. now they have raja.
sometimes ya gotta take one for the team.

imho, there is no room in the party for "pro-life" (fetal life, period) dems, but i know that is not doctrine.
in a blue state, and a blue district, no, they dont belong.

[murielm99]

4. Thanks.

I was interested in hearing from someone who lives in or closer to Chicago. I remember what happened with Walsh. This is not a good time to lose that seat to a repiggie.

[global1]

5. If You Ask Me He Should Have Been Primaried A Long Time Ago....

He was my Congressman for many years and he is the worst. He wins because he's never been challenged and because of the 'ski' in his name. There are a lot of Poles in his district. The district is a Dem district and I believe if he loses the primary - his challenger - a woman - will win over any Repug.

[Freethinker65]

6. I was in his district and got gerrymandered out

Lipinski needs to go. He only got elected because his Daddy had the seat and withdrew too late for anyone else to get on the ballot. I chose to write in a candidate that first year. He did not even live in the district and had to leave from his teaching post in Kentucky(?) to serve I think.

I wrote to Lipinski when he was my rep and he pretty much said he was a Pro-life Christian First above all else and did not care what his constituents wanted. I ran into Dan once while on a family trip to D.C. and he acted like a socially challenged weasel. He never deserved nor really campaigned for his job as representative. Around campaign season he could be found sheepishly shakin hands at the commuter train lines, but that is about it. He currently is fighting for his life with lots of ad $$. Marie Newman has an active campaign, a lot of support, and she has actually made Dan "debate" issues he is obviously uncomfortable about. This is a good thing.

The active Democrats is his district are mostly pro choice while many old timers think they are still voting for his Dad. The Republicans do not run anyone against Dan (currently a real life Nazi-type is running in the Rep primary with no financial backing of any R candidate) and love Dan. In Dan's defense, aside from horrible right-wing stances on social issues, he has been decent in bringing $$$ back for district projects. For this reason, he has gotten many tepid endorsements.

So Yes, Dan should be primaried. I hope Marie wins, but even if Dan pulls it out, he knows he has awakened his district and will be held accountable.

[TeapotInATempest]

7. I'm in the district and have lived in it most of my life (well, the boundaries changed, lol)

Yes, he should be primaried; yes, Newman can beat him if Mike Madigan doesn't pull too many dirty tricks, and if she beats him she will be IL-03's next Representative. The Republican currently running is a Nazi and wouldn't win this district even if he weren't one.