Democrats are having a real barn-burner of a convention this week, but isn't something or someone missing? Like 10th District Democratic congressional candidate Dan Seals? Incumbent Congressman Mark Kirk will be a featured speaker at next week's Republican bash.
The Dems have featured Congressman Bill Foster of the 14th Congressional District who wrested Denny Hastert's seat into the blue column. They've introduced Debbie Halvorson who's vying in the 11th Congressional District for the seat of retiring Republican Jerry Weller. Congresswoman Melissa Bean of the 8th District has been getting face time.
But no Dan Seals. Seals won't even be in Denver when fellow Illinoisan Barack Obama accepts the nomination. He's going to be in Northbrook at a "convention watching party."
Perhaps the national Dems have given up on the 10th? Kirk does have a 2.5-to-1 cash advantage in campaign funds and already has started airing radio ads. The election isn't until November.
The GOP certaintly hasn't given up on Kirk. The Highland Park Republican will be in the spotlight dance, tapped as a podium speaker direct from the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn. on Sept. 1, the opening day of the convention. Kirk, an early John McCain supporter during the GOP primary season, is scheduled to speak on the Arizona senator's record of service to the nation.
The Hound thinks Illinois Dems missed a chance to give Seals an election-year boost against a strong incumbent in a Republican-leaning district. If this is what they do during a boffo convention week, what can Seals expect from the party come October?
Kirk is going to be on the stage the same night as President Bush? That should be really helpful!
THE HOUND SEZ: Blake, you're sounding argillaceous. "Really helpful" is a good way?
It's common knowledge that Terry Link as Lake County Democratic chair calls the shots and determined who was going to Denver and who wasn't. Seals who is intelligent and an excellent candidate probably didn't kow tow enough for Link's taste. Too bad. Seals could have benefitted from the national exposure.
THE HOUND SEZ: Well, Frankie, The Hound knew Terry Link was one powerful Dem, but he doesn't have that much clout to tell the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee who they can and can't get face time --- or at least some recognition --- at the party's national convention. The Hound thinks Dems may regret not boosting Seals candidacy on a national stage, unless the DCCC's internal polling already shows this 10th Congressional District contest is over before it has really begun.