Illinois DUers... Profile of DemSen Candidate Blair Hull... [View All]

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From today's Chicago Sun-Times:

Snip:

The affable Hull, 60, a commodities millionaire and former blackjack king, is waging the most expensive campaign in Illinois history. Even though his candidacy has yet to break out of single digits, there is a growing perception among Democratic officeholders that Hull has a good chance to win their party's nomination.

He is leaving town today on a bus trip to Canada with 25 senior citizens to purchase cheaper prescription drugs. The people on Hull's tour have obtained their doctors' presciptions and must also provide birth certificates to obtain the low-cost medicine. "Some seniors just can't afford these drugs," said Hull, who is seeking to change federal law to allow imports of cheaper drugs.

A former Army lieutenant, Hull was an early and outspoken critic of President Bush's war against Iraq. Among the Democratic senatorial contenders, only state Sen. Barack Obama has been as forceful as Hull in opposing Bush's decision to intervene. State Comptroller Dan Hynes and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, both of whom supported the war, now find themselves in the difficult position of defending a policy that is unpopular among Democratic primary voters. Hull, the only veteran in this race, has credibility on this issue.

Like most Democratic primary voters, Hull comes from a working-class background. He is a former union member who worked in a factory and is also a former teacher. Before making his fortune, he briefly had to go on food stamps to support his family.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/neal/cst-edt-neal12.html

(Full disclosure: Obviously, I will vote for whoever the Dem candidate is. However, my preference right now is Obama. But I can certainly support Hull...)