I had a visitor today

[The Polack MSgt]

I came home for lunch so I could let the dog out (and save a few bucks eating leftovers) and while I was there a canvasser came around talking about the election in November.

I've lived in that house since may of 2005. This was the 1st Democratic door knocker that ever come around.

Just a bit of background - I live in the prairie. It's corn, wheat and soybeans as far as the eye can see but we may be on the verge of electing a Democrat again.

It's close but doable, because our POS representative enthusiastically hitched his wagon to Trump and in hindsight that may not have been the best plan.

There are still a solid core of Trumpsters out here, make no mistake, but this district is not as monochromatic as most rural areas are. There is a military base in the district as well, and while military retirees tend to be conservative - they also tend to mistrust Russia and hate treason.

Brendan Kelly's history is very similar to Connor Lamb's - Military Vet, former prosecutor, long time family connection to the district.

In short, an old school pro-labor moderate blue dog. Which I suppose makes him the enemy to some on this board, but not to me.

In my opinion he is the kind of Democrat who can win Illinois 12 - Kick out a rubber stamp vote for Trump and swing this nation back toward sanity.

I actually met Mr. Kelly several times when he was the County's State Attorney a few years back - I was empanelled as a Grand Juror so I sat in court every Friday for 6 months and if the case was a big one, Kelly came in to conduct the hearing.

Sharp guy, would not want to try to play poker against him

[sheshe2]

1. Go Blue!

That would be awesome.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Mr. Kelley sounds very promising!

I am strongly in favor of Conor Lamb's candidacy and I am supporting him.

These are good Democrats, the kind we need in our Congress.

[The Polack MSgt]

3. here is his site

https://brendan4southernil.com/

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Good website! Thanks for the link. n/t

[guillaumeb]

4. Is Carbondale in the 12th?

If so, one hopes that the Democrats are working there as well.

In the Illinois 3rd, we have a blue dog as well in Dan Lipinski.

[The Polack MSgt]

7. Yes it is

Il. 12 is a large district because it is mostly farms - More acres than voters as the saying goes...

Kelly is strong in Carbondale (College town) Belleville (County seat and his home) and East St. Louis (Republicans use this town as a racist dog whistle - When a GOPer asks "What about the violence in ESL?" he means "Scary blacks are coming for you&quot

If he can break even in all the tiny towns and villages scattered around the rest of the district, he will win.

[JustAnotherGen]

5. We are everywhere

Everywhere. It's in those 'Red Places' where the boots on the ground Democratic committee folks - that's where we are. You know my 'story' - and I'm telling you.

It's a numbers game of voters + interests + knocks + calls - plus getting them to the polls. It will equal success this year!

[The Polack MSgt]

8. I volunteer to drive folks to the polls

But this year, I may need to borrow a different car. I finally retired the Dodge Jelly bean minivan.

My New Ford only seats 4

[brer cat]

9. That is very encouraging.

The kind of Democrat who can win should be what everyone on this board supports.

[brooklynite]

10. I've passed your article on to him...

[Wellstone ruled]

11. It works getting out to the Farms and small towns.

Door knocking is one of the most effective tools during a Campaign. People like it when you greet them with a smile and are not judgemental. Yes you will find the idiot or two,but for the most part,people will hear your spiel and it will bring you votes.

[Stonepounder]

13. We have lived at the same address here in Northern KY for 10 years.

This past primary we got our first door-knocker in the form of the candidate himself. We live in a pretty red distract and the door-knocker was running for the state legislator as a Dem. His door knocking paid off, he got 60+% of the Democratic vote in our district.

Door-Knocking works!

[Wellstone ruled]

16. Wonderful to hear.

I know it works. Our Niece did this in here Rural area on behalf of Democrat running for County Commission. It worked,first time a Dem sets on that County Commission since FDR.

[George II]

12. A moderate Democrat who wins is 100% more effective than a less than moderate....

...(let me word it that way!) who doesn't win.

One can't accomplish anything from the sidelines.

As a post script, I don't get any political door knockers around here - most of the Democratic and the republican candidates know me and my leanings. On the other hand, over the years I've done a lot of door knocking myself.

[Tatiana]

14. Let's plug his website and let folks donate.

Southern IL seems to have more in common with Kentucky than the rest of the state, so Kelly is probably a good fit for that district.

https://brendan4southernil.com/

Support Brendan Kelly today

Thanks for this post. Will throw a few bucks his way.

[The Polack MSgt]

15. Thanks Tatiana

It was dumb of me to leave those out...