The Democratic candidate in the 18th Congressional District race, Colleen Callahan, has revealed her platform. See if this sounds familiar (transcribed from a WCBU report, which you can hear on Billy’s blog):
“It’s time to work together to create change. It’s time to refocus on middle-class values.” […]
Callahan says her top issues are ending the war in Iraq, improving the economy, increasing access to higher education, and repairing health care.
Who does that sound like? I’ll give you a hint, she’s a presidential candidate. Her talking points sound strikingly similar to Hillary Clinton’s. “Strengthening the middle class,” “providing affordable and accessible health care,” “ending the war in Iraq” — the rhetoric is practically identical.
And that’s why Callahan will lose in November. She’s running in a Republican district. In fact, the district is specifically gerrymandered to pick up as many Republican votes as possible (just like the 17th district cherry-picks Democrat voters). If she wants to win, she’s going to need crossover votes. She needs Republicans to vote for her.
Her platform is not going to get any crossover votes (except, apparently, for Carol Miller — the one self-described “moderate Republican” WCBU managed to unearth who said she’d cross over for Callahan). Why? Because it’s a liberal Democrat platform. It’s Hillary’s platform.
Schock has already proven how popular he is with Republican voters (he won the primary with over 70% of the vote in a three-way race). Callahan is going to have to hope that they all stay home and that all the Democrats come out to vote. And we know that’s not going to happen.
Schock can order his Congressional stationery now.
You better let Billy know.
Callahan is doing this for the same reason Versace was going to do it… ego (or egoette, in her case). She is bright enough to know she has no chance, but she’s also in a business where putting her face and name out there can only help her. That’s one thing. It’s a whole other thing for the Democratic big-wigs to embrace these two. Not only can Schock order his stationary, but he can order the fountain pens, too.
Callahan is the underdog, to be sure. She’s the best candidate the Democrats have had since G. Douglas Stephens back in 1982. The wild card is whether the national Dems cough up some cash. She’s been promised some cash, but not as much as they gave Foster in the 14th.
And C.J., do remember this. There’s a reason they actually hold elections.
I agree it is a tough race…a long-held Republican seat. But are the statements “It’s time to refocus on middle-class values” or “Strengthening the middle class,” solely a democratic view? Do class differences and inadequacies not span the divide…granted that is only one part of the quote/message.
So CJ, you’re saying improving the economy and repairing health care are part of the “liberal Democrat Platform”? Does that mean Republicans are opposed to such actions?
Or, is it possible that HOW a candidate wants to accomplish these goals is the difference between them. I’m pretty sure Aaron Schock wants to improve the economy, help the middle class, and repair health care as well.
Callahan has a lot of work to do to talk about specifics of her platform. She is also the underdog. But isn’t it a little early to call Schock the winner? Or should we call off the election now?
I think I’m gonna puke.
Just what is Shock’s platform? Does he have a platform??? I believe it is more of a ‘flatform.’ Hah! I am funny.
We have not had a Dem Congressman in the 18th since 1917. Are we that gerrymandered? Is ‘gerrymandered’ a word? Can I sue someone over this?
Callahan is reading the script she was given by the party bosses who nominated her. Since they also hold the purse strings for her campaign, she isn’t likely to deviate from the script. Nevertheless, both the national Democrat and Republican parties are in the process of self-destructing. None of the major presidential candidates – Obama, Clinton and McCain, belong anywhere near the White House, and more and more people are realizing that. Interesting things could happen.
New Voice….in many areas, people would love to be able to claim that statistic! 🙂