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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTammy Duckworth Takes on the Tea Party
Tammy Duckworth Takes on the Tea Party
May 14, 2012 1:00 AM EDT
An Iraq War vet is making a stand in her run for Congress.
After Tammy Duckworth lost her 2006 run for Congress by 2 percentage points in one of the countrys most expensive House races, she swore shed never run again. One of the few women to pilot Black Hawk helicopters in combat, Duckworth lost both legs and shattered her right arm after being downed by a rocket-propelled grenade in Iraq in 2004. She later emerged as an important voice against that war. Powerful Illinois politicians like Dick Durbin and Rahm Emanuel recruited her to run for Congress in suburban Chicago while she was still recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, learning to navigate the world on prosthetics.
The race against Republican Peter Roskam was hard. It was so nasty, and so full of lies, she says. Duckworth, whose mother is Thai-Chinese, recalls seeing an image of herself, her eyes Photoshopped into slits, standing on the border handing out money to illegal immigrants. After the election, she says, I just thought, Im done. I will find other ways to serve.
Now, though, shes back, campaigning against Republican Congressman Joe Walsh in what will likely prove one of 2012s highest-profile races. For Democrats, the contest has an epic quality, pitting a galvanic war heroine against a man who symbolizes everything liberals abhor about the Tea Party. Walsh is famous for screaming at constituents for their criticism of big banks. He also preached personal responsibility while being sued by his ex-wife for more than $100,000 in unpaid child support. (They recently settled out of court.)
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This race seems more promising than 2006. Redistricting has made Illinoiss Eighth much friendlier territory; its now 22 percent Latino and 12 percent Asian. The bombastic Walsh has tripped himself up by dismissing Duckworths military record, telling Politico, What else has she done? Female, wounded veteran ... ehhh.
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http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/05/13/iraq-vet-tammy-duckworth-takes-on-the-tea-party.html
butterfly77
(17,609 posts)Disgusting!
TahitiNut
(71,611 posts)Walsh is a waste of oxygen.
Stuart G
(38,427 posts)sarge43
(28,941 posts)Waste his ass.
BumRushDaShow
(128,967 posts)cindyperry2010
(846 posts)pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)GoCubsGo
(32,083 posts)I can't think of a better person to take out that shitbag. Wish I could afford to send some money to her campaign.
grantcart
(53,061 posts)She will smile him into oblivion, its the Thai secret weapon.
mopinko
(70,103 posts)in henry hyde's old district. and i don't recall her saying foo about the war. including telling stories publicly that she told personally. a real fighting dem.
but i do believe that she has a good shot in a bluer district, and will win. this is melissa bean's old district. i think she will do great. and i think she will be a much better representative now than she would have been then.
i wish her much luck.
https://secure.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/27386
longship
(40,416 posts)R&K for Tammy Duckworth
proud2BlibKansan
(96,793 posts)I believe I'll be sending Tammy a donation.
madrchsod
(58,162 posts)the dems made sure that the new district ensured a democrat would win. plus walsh is the worse republican running in the state of illinois
JustAnotherGen
(31,823 posts)As our Vietnam Vets and Gulf War Vets age - and our Afghanistan and Iraq vets come home- they need a champion like her in Congress.
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)ananda
(28,860 posts)I hope Tammy puts him in the toilet.