Joe Wilson, Hillary Clinton join the Duckworth effort

[wndycty]

For Duckworth supporters here is an update on other Democrats who have lent a hand to Tammy. In addition to names we are already familiar with: Clark, Durin, Emanuel, Kerry, Obama, Pelosi and Schakowsky, today's article reveals that Barbara Boxer, Hillary Clinton, Lane Evans and Joseph Wilson have either helped out or are on tap to do so. This article, which makes a LEGITIMATE critique of the Duckworth campaign at the end( Duckworth's campaign would rather the national aspect of her candidacy and fund-raising not get special attention.), mentions that Kerry's letter raised "tens of thousands of dollars" for Tammy, while Cegelis reports she got some donations from those who did not like Kerry's letter.

It as also points out Duckworth's twofold strategy.

Big Dems take sides in House race

March 2, 2006

BY LYNN SWEET SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

With the Illinois primary less than three weeks away, some of the nation's biggest Democratic names are raising money for wounded Iraq war vet Tammy Duckworth, taking sides in a suburban congressional contest.

Duckworth travels to New York on March 12 for a fund-raiser hosted by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), who is the Democrats' star draw. Wednesday night marked the deadline for the latest federal reporting period, and by all indications, Duckworth, of Hoffman Estates, will swamp her rivals, Christine Cegelis, of Rolling Meadows, who was the 2004 nominee, and college professor Lindy Scott, who lives in Wheaton.

Duckworth's big-name strategy is twofold:

First, to raise the hundreds of thousands of dollars needed to keep her television spots on the air.

Second, to demonstrate a sense that she alone has the powerful patrons who can help level the financial playing field in what is certain to be a multimillion-dollar November showdown with state Sen. Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton).
-snip-

Duckworth's campaign seed money was provided by political action committees and donors connected to Durbin, Emanuel, Obama, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Professional fund-raisers working for the four Illinois lawmakers -- all with golden Rolodexes full of national contacts -- are helping Duckworth. And Pelosi and Emanuel also joined in another e-mail plea for money, setting a goal of raising $250,000 by Feb. 24 in order to bankroll Duckworth's TV spots. Retired Gen. Wes Clark also sent a letter to benefit Duckworth.

On Sunday, Duckworth's Finance Committee chairman, bankruptcy turnaround specialist William Brandt, and his wife, Patrice, hosted a big-dollar event at their Winnetka home, with special guests Schakowsky, Rep. Lane Evans (D-Ill.) and former Ambassador Joe Wilson, whose wife, Valerie Plame, was the CIA agent whose outing became the basis for a leak probe led by Chicago-based U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.
-snip-

http://www.suntimes.com/output/sweet/cst-edt-sweet021.html#

[mopinko]

1. lynn sweet asks, who's your daddy.

"But how and where candidates go to raise money should be part of the public policy discussion under way before Congress, which is grappling with ethics and lobbying reform. Obama and Emanuel have been taking a lead on these issues. It's worth saying again, with another big money race at hand: Fund-raising -- where candidates go to raise money and who helps them -- should be done in the sunlight."

and this part better not be true-

Second, to demonstrate a sense that she alone has the powerful patrons who can help level the financial playing field in what is certain to be a multimillion-dollar November showdown with state Sen. Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton).

if those rolodexes don't open up for cegelis on march 22, the national party will not be welcome in the 6th district for a generation.

[Ken Burch]

2. Christ, why did Wilson surrender to the hacks?

nt

[mopinko]

3. maybe he is not paying that much attention.

just jumping of the bandwagon to turn the district.