Laesch on Grassroots vs. BlueDog Illinois Politics

John Laesch in a question/answer forum at FDL:

Nobody wants a repeat of IL 6th...

TeddySanFran @ 25

John Laesch, many GOP Congresscritters were defeated in their elections because not only was their Speaker toxic and thus dis-invited to their campaigns, but Denny had to spend his own money right at home to defeat a progressive, grassroots first-time candidate. I hope your IL-14 supporters who gave your campaign its 40% recognize their contribution to the national Blue Wave.

High-fives all around! John Laesch in 2007!

=======
Who’s Next?
=======

We will make this well-known. I have to wait for H4C to file his final report before we know exactly how much $$$ he spent in IL 14th, but I am guessing it is near $1M. That amount could have swayed votes in one or two other target districts...

Howie Klein @ 30

John, have you had any communication with the DCCC? Is there any chance they will support you in a bid to take IL-14 when Hastert resigns? My understanding is that Pelosi appoints a new DCCC chair next week.

Not yet, but it will happen in the near term. Durbin is the first hurdle to cross in Illinois...

Laesch: "On the campaign trail I talked about the 5,000 people who contributed to JDL 2006 vs. the millions that Hastert took from special interest groups. “We can’t change a republican party for a Democratic Party - we have to change the system.”"

This is the list of potential challengers that I would take seriously. Hastert does not like Lauzen and a battle between Hastert pick (Schmitz) and Lauzen would be IDEAL in a special election scenario.

We also know that at least three other candidates have contacted the IL State Board of Elections and we are staying tuned for the exact rules that will apply.

Before departing, it occurred to me that I could leave some things that need to be done. I know Hastert like a book b/c I have read his book. I do not know much about some of the potential GOP opponents and we could use some research help. My guess is that Lauzen will win. Lauzen by the way wrote a bill that would ban women from breast feeding in public… further right than Hastert, but opposed to Hastert’s highway (the real issue for the GOP).

Here are some things that we need from the Blog Community:
1) Opposition research on Chris Lauzen
2) Opposition research on Patricia Lindner
3) Opposition research on Tim Schmitz
4) Opposition research on Steve Rauchenberger

Research needs to be:
- Where do they get their $$
- What votes make them vulnerable?