[Peace-discuss] Voting anti-war in tomorrow's primary election (4)

[C G Estabrook]

> David Gill seems to be the only anti-war candidate for Congress in IL-13. He’s the only Democrat who said in answer to direct questions that US troops (and weapons) should be withdrawn from the Mideast and N. Africa.
> 
> The other Democrats - Londrigan, Jones, and Ebel - all support US war-making. Londrigan seems uninformed, as Bob suggests, but Ebel is even worse: he seems to be one of the "extraordinary number of former intelligence and military operatives from the CIA, Pentagon, National Security Council and State Department [who] are seeking nomination as Democratic candidates for Congress in the 2018 midterm elections. The potential influx of military-intelligence personnel into the legislature has no precedent in US political history” [https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2018/03/07/dems-m07.html <https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2018/03/07/dems-m07.html>].
> 
> Given what the national Democratic party has done to drive Trump back into the belligerence and war-provocations of the Obama administration - ‘Russiagate', notably - I can’t see voting for any Democrats for Congress. If Gill is not nominated, I’ll vote for incumbent Rodney Davis - a war-supporter, yes, but one who might follow the example of his predecessor, former Rep. Tim Johnson (a Republican), and turn against the administration’s wars. —CGE
> 
> 
>> On Mar 19, 2018, at 9:34 PM, Niloofar Shambayati via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net <mailto:peace at lists.chambana.net>> wrote:
>> 
>> Robert,
>> 
>> I'm surprised by your endorsement. She's totally an establishment candidate. She has a big smile and no real agenda, except the generic "caring for families". Like her mentor, Durbin, she doesn't even support a national health care system (improved medicare for all). I hope to hear stronger arguments in her favor. Thanks!
>> 
>> Niloofar
>> 
>> On Mon, Mar 19, 2018 at 7:57 PM, Robert Naiman via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net <mailto:peace at lists.chambana.net>> wrote:
>> https://www.facebook.com/robert.naiman/posts/10157099169132656 <https://www.facebook.com/robert.naiman/posts/10157099169132656>
>> 
>> I endorse Betsy Dirksen Londrigan for Congress in IL-13.
>> I like all four serious candidates. I met with all of them. I went to every forum I could. They're all thoughtful, knowledgeable, and progressive, their intentions are pure, and they're in it to win it. I will vigorously support whoever wins the primary, in order to defeat Rodney Davis in November. 
>> But in the primary, I have to choose one. I choose Betsy Dirksen Londrigan.
>> First: I engaged the four candidates about our campaign to end unauthorized U.S. participation in the catastrophic Saudi war in Yemen. Of the four candidates, Betsy Dirksen Londrigan listened to me the best. It wasn't close, actually. I explained how this war is different from the other wars, and she got it. The first time I engaged her, she didn't really understand what I was talking about; but none of them did. Betsy Dirksen Londrigan said: send me something to read. So I did. The next time I saw her, Betsy Dirksen Londrigan knew exactly what I was talking about. Because she read the thing I send her and she understood it. 
>> I don't need a know-it-all representing me in Congress. Know-it-alls are a dime a dozen. I need someone who listens to what I have to say and tries to understand it. By that criterion, it's Betsy Dirksen Londrigan in a walk. 
>> Second: I like the fact that Betsy Dirksen Londrigan is endorsed by Dick Durbin. It's not that I think Dick Durbin is the alpha and omega. I've had frustrations with Dick Durbin. But as a practical matter, on my issues, if we don't have Dick Durbin, we're not even on the field. But if we do have Dick Durbin, then we can get all the Dick Durbin people onside. Today was a perfect example. I was very frustrated that on the eve of the Senate vote on the Sanders-Lee-Murphy resolution, I didn't know where Tammy Duckworth was. So I engaged Durbin's people and said: where's Tammy Duckworth? Within an hour Tammy Duckworth's staffer, who had been dodging me and other peace activists, got back with me to confirm that Tammy Duckworth would vote yes on the Sanders-Lee-Murphy bill. So the fact that Betsy Dirksen Londrigan is a Dick Durbin person is a big plus for me, because it gives me great confidence that I can rely on Betsy Dirksen Londrigan when I need her. 
>> Third: all else equal, I like the fact that she is endorsed by Emily's List. Not that I'm totally in love with the politics of Emily's List in general. But they are also in it to win it, and I'm confident that if Betsy Dirksen Londrigan wins the primary, Emily's List will be all-in to help her win the general, and she's going to need a lot of money and help to beat Rodney Davis in November. 
>> Fourth: I strongly support increasing the diversity of our Illinois Congressional delegation. Obviously that doesn't mean I have to support someone whose politics are diametrically opposed to my own. But if it's a jump ball, if it's close enough, "the tie goes to the runner." And, in fact, Betsy Dirksen Londrigan is my best candidate anyway. She points out that only three members of our current delegation are women, and says that's unacceptable and we should change that. I agree. She's right about that. So while I certainly wouldn't make the decision on this criterion alone, and I wouldn't want anyone else to, I think it's perfectly wonderful to have this criterion in the mix. Given everything else that's true, I count this as a strong plus.
>> 
>> _______________________

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