Hi, folks, I just returned from Geneva, where there was a candidates’ forum for the candidates running for Congress in the 14th District. It was put on mainly for Ethan Hastert, but showcased them all, and Jeff Dankflesen did a very good job holding his own and answering the questions put to him. But they all did. They were sent the questions in advance, and had some time to prepare beforehand, but I would have liked to have heard some unprepared answers to questions from the audience. Oh well. It was fun, met a lot of people, and saw Chris Lauzen and his lovely wife again. They have good memories; they remembered me from the Porky Picnic over the summer…which surprised me because there were a lot of people there.
The fellows sitting on the stage at the head table were Ethan Hastert, Denny Hastert’s son who lives in Elburn with his wife and son; Jeff Danklefsen of Geneva, Mark Vargas from Elgin; and Randy Hultgren of Winfield. Jim Purcell was invited, but wasn’t in attendance. The room at the Golf Club was packed, people were standing in the back of the room and in the doorways. The meeting began with an introduction, the pledge of allegiance and a prayer.-Then each candidate took his turn answering questions and remained seated, passing the mic back and forth. They had approximately 3 minutes each to answer questions which ranged from the economy to health care to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The last question asked them to summarize why they were running and why they deserved to win the Nobel Peace Prize and everyone laughed. They all summarized why they felt they deserved the votes, but none of them answered why they deserved to win the Nobel Peace Prize. And none of them talked about ‘when I’m in Congress’ or “when I’m your Congressman” – they all were sensible and gentlemanly.
Ethan Hastert said that no matter who wins the primary, that we should rally behind whoever is chosen by the voters and help them win against Bill Foster, who has done everything possible as Congressman to help with the Obama/Pelosi healthcare agenda; voted against STUPAK and FOR socialized medicine. Nobody in the room was pleased with that, but there was an upbeat feeling in the room that the seat can be won back in 2010.
There were quite a few people there who I would categorize as the tea party crew; some decked out in blue jeans, wearing tee-shirts that read that bikers are cool, I vote, too-and there was a woman there who was a dead ringer for Judy Baar Topinka, the poor thing.
There were other candidates in the room, circulating their information-even judges and others. One judge’s husband and I talked a little bit, she had been at the RALC picnic up in Lake County. There was a palpable electricity in the air as people grabbed a cup of coffee or a cookie and talked with more like-minded people they’d never met before, making contacts, exchanging information, etc. Someone noted at my table that we’ve all been conditioned to believe that we’re lone voices in the wilderness, others chimed in in agreement. People were surprised by the turnout and Randy Hultgren thanked everyone for coming out before he answered his first question.
All of the candidates for 14th Congressional seat came across to me as politicians in suits, whereas Jeff Danklefsen looked uncomfortable in his suit, and seemed quite shy. Those qualities were very endearing to me in contrast to the others-But on the stage Jeff was committed to why he was running and his principles…and several times during when he spoke, there were outbursts of applause, such as when he talked about how global warming is a sham and an excuse for politicians to dig into our wallets. Not that there was no applause during certain points during the others’ time to speak, but I noticed more of it when Jeff was speaking.
On most things they agreed, although I felt a liberal flavor from what three of the candidates said.
As an example-when they were talking about energy-I particularly noticed an environmental flavor to three of the other candidates’ words, and remember when Vargas was talking he said “I think we can all agree that we need to reduce our carbon footprint.”
Although they all talked about jobs and stimulating the economy, some of what bothered me was talk from all but Jeff about how they are going to beg from Washington for money for infrastructure and roads in the Fox Valley.
Dankfleson came out and flatly said that money from the 14th District should never go to Washington in the first place and should stay in the pockets of the people who earn it.
The candidates stayed behind afterward and shook peoples’ hands, and Jeff found himself surrounded by people who wanted to talk with him, before he even got off the stage- while the other candidates needed to leave the stage to engage members of the audience.
It seemed to me to be quite a telling commentary on what peoples’ initial thoughts were about the candidates; but those are my initial thoughts. When the video comes online and I find it, I’ll update this post with it.
I must apologize to Randy Hultgren, the State Senator who is now running for the US 14th Congressional District Seat, because I wasn’t familiar with his name or his face. I am not in or from Kane County, but I’m connected with some folks who are, that invited me to this event. Out of all the candidates, I knew who Dankflesen is because the tea party folks are emailing about him like crazy, and understandably so. Some minds were changed today; some of the people at my table were in the line to talk with Jeff and I think of him as Kane County’s “Joe the plumber”. When everyone rattled off their biography having to do with government and he talked about his background (which some media describe as “maintenance man”), it made me want to jump up and applaud.
Vargas stopped and talked with us about his experience in Iraq under Secretary Gates on a special team to help stimulate the economy there, if I understand it correctly. He came across as sharp and almost like a young Ollie North – almost military in his demeanor, and very clean cut.
Regular people are getting involved in their government and Jeff’s candidacy is a testament to that.
The other candidates mentioned the reasons why they thought they were “right” for US Congress in the 14th District, but Jeff came out and said that he is a carpenter, plumber, an electrician, and several other things…I heard some gasps from the audience and the crowd erupted in applause.
It was an enjoyable afternoon and I learned a lot more about what’s happening in the 14th District for the primary race for the Congressional seat. All of the candidates were eloquent, well-spoken and delivered their messages clearly and succinctly.
But I think Ethan Hastert should stay away from talking about politicians, special interests and lobbyists. Denny’s firm, if I understand it correctly, secured a pricey lobbying contract with Turkey.
Also take a look at a post over at Illinois Review about it.
I serve as a judge for the Home Schoolers Debate and Public Speaking Contests. What I heard on Sunday was no debate. I really agree with your line, the program was run for the benefit of Hastert. Look who ran it. Kenyon!!!
Hastert did not mentioned that he is an inside trader, just recently left his lobbyist position in Washington
I liked Jeff the best, but he has no money.
js
I’m thinking it’s the populist candidates with no money that we should be looking at and listening to. The citizen candidates like Danklefsen, truly would be representative of the views of their constituents, rather than the well-funded lawyering class or the people who, as you described, worked as lobbyists or have family connections.
The citizen candidates have a tough road; they are not included in events; they are not mentioned on the party websites; and not welcomed into the fold. Instead of having paid people to go out and collect signatures, they have volunteers who donate their time. These are the people we need to support!
I was doing some opposition research on a candidate for the House in another district; his incumbent republican opponent has received money from AFSCME, several teachers unions, the local party, the state party, pharmaceutical companies Abbott and Baxter, and a number of others. This incumbent’s voting record, if you didn’t know the party, looks like a democrat’s. The votes for education were for school buildings, not to address the problems in children’s academic achievement.
In sum, we should be wary of those who have lots of money and “follow the money”; they do not vote based on the views or concerns of their constituents.
Thank you for your comment.