[Vision2020] Democrat Wins Hastert's House Seat

[Tom Hansen]

>From today's (March 9, 2008) Spokesman Review -

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Democrat wins Hastert's House seat 

CHICAGO – A longtime Republican district fell to the Democrats Saturday 
when a scientist snatched former House Speaker Dennis Hastert's 
congressional seat in a closely watched special election.

Democrat Bill Foster won 52 percent of the vote compared with 48 percent 
for Republican Jim Oberweis. With 564 of 568 precincts reporting, Foster 
had 50,947 votes to Oberweis' 46,125.

Foster's special election win means he will fill the remainder of 
Hastert's term, which ends in January. The two will square off again in 
November, for a new, full term.

The 66-year-old Hastert, who lost his powerful post as speaker when 
Democrats took control of Congress, resigned late last year.

The race between Foster and Oberweis spawned a contentious campaign that 
saw both men turn to high-profile supporters to help sway voters in the 
longtime GOP district.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made a TV ad praising 
Foster; Oberweis had fundraising help from the apparent Republican 
nominee, John McCain, and Hastert's backing.

"It is a stunning rejection of the Bush administration, its Republican 
allies, and presidential nominee John McCain," said Democratic 
Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen.
 
The district will have a rookie congressman after years of enjoying 
Hastert's clout.

During his 21 years in Washington, Hastert funneled millions of dollars to 
the district that stretches from Chicago's far western suburbs almost as 
far as the Mississippi River.

Hastert's is one of three open seats in Illinois this year because of GOP 
retirements. Reps. Jerry Weller, who represents a district from the 
suburbs south of Chicago to the farmland of central Illinois, and Ray 
LaHood, of Peoria, are also stepping down. 

Besides poking at each other with negative TV ads, Foster and Oberweis 
have clashed on issues such as immigration, health care and the Iraq war.

In a recent TV appearance, Foster said he would be a "good vote in 
Congress to change President Bush's policy" on Iraq. Oberweis contended 
the troop surge was working, saying: "Things are getting better in Iraq."

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"People who ridicule others while hiding behind anonymous monikers in chat-
room forums are neither brave nor clever." 

- Latah County Sheriff Wayne Rausch (August 21,
2007)

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