woot! Dem takes lead in March 3 Illinois race to replace Hastert! [View All]

[cali]

IL-14: Foster takes narrow lead
by kos

Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 09:42:07 AM PST
Global Strategy Group (D) for Bill Foster (PDF). 2/21-24. Likely voters. MoE 4.9% (2/6-10 results)

Foster (D) 45 (43)
Oberweis (R) 41 (45)



We're still within the MoE, so the race is a statistical dead heat, but the trends are going in the right direction -- a six-point swing toward Foster.

This is a March 8 special election to replace former speaker Dennis Hastert, and winning the race in this R+5 district would be not just an embarrassment for congressional Republicans, but also the first victory in what has become a proxy battle between McCain and Obama. McCain just did a fundraiser for Oberweis, and Obama has cut an ad for Foster (which still hasn't aired).

One other point -- the fact that Obama has gotten involved in this race is a sign that regardless of Obama's lofty rhetoric about working together blah blah blah, he will be a partisan and help Democrats get elected whenever necessary. That had always been a concern of mine, but no longer.

Obama clearly realizes the more Democrats he has backing him up in Congress, the better his chances to effect true change in this nation.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/26/121021/513/364/464423


I can't think of anything that would dispirit rethugs more than losing the seat of the former Speaker of the House. And please note that Obama has been actively involved in this race. Could he have coattails already?