Schneider people, please don’t tell me (again) that Brad is a “Progressive.” Progressive Democrats don’t funnel campaign cash to Republican candidates. Period. Not even 10% of their campaign donations. Moderates might. But Brad isn’t claiming to be a Moderate, is he?
And don’t tell me about Brad’s stance on Choice. Anyone can say they’re pro-choice. Bob Dold certainly did in the 2010 general election.
I’m voting for Ilya Sheyman, a true (and proven) Progressive, who will go to DC to represent me (and not the “Business” community).

Sorry you’re confused, Stringer Bell.
I thought I was clear. Let me try again:

No one (not me anyway) ever accused Brad of turning over HIS Schneider-for-Congress campaign funds to other candidates (of either party)

Here’s what I did say:
Brad didn’t merely contribute to Kirk’s campaign once (as he would have you believe), but in election after election from 2002 thru 2010.
Brad also gave contributions to a slew of RIGHT-WING, RIGHT-TO-LIFE Republicans such as Bob Bennett, R-UT, Mike Johanns, R-NE, Mike Rogers, R-MI, and Mark Kennedy, R-MN.
Any age/life-experience “advantage” Brad has in the general election ends the minute Brad Schneider gets on the Debate stage with Bob Dold.

Picture this:

Moderator: Congressman Dold, what is your stance on Global Warming?

Dold: I’d love to answer that, Ms Moderator, but first can I congratulate my esteemed challenger for having contributed 3 times more money to Mark Kirk over the years than I have.

Moderator: Congressman Dold, what do you think of Obama’s Millionaire tax proposal?

Dold: I’d love to answer that, Ms Moderator, but first can I congratulate my esteemed challenger for having contributed just shy of $6000 to GOP candidates, which makes my little $1000 contribution (to Mark Kirk in 2010—same year I was running for his old office—lol) pale by comparison.

Great comment, flower child

Point is all voters need a reason to go to the polls. (Even Democrats!)

If people don’t feel there’s a clear difference between 2 candidates, they stay home or they skip a line item on the ballot or they vote for the one with the most experience, which in this case would be Dold, who now **has** experience in government, having served in Congress for two years.

You can be pretty sure that DOLD will use Schneider’s past contributions to Republicans (plus fact that Schneider pulled a GOP ballot in the 2000 and 2002 primaries) to drive a wedge between Schneider and the Democratic base and to establish himself (to Independent voters) as not all that different from the Democrat on the ballot. Result? Dold wins. Oh well.

Support the most Dynamic candidate, Ilya Sheyman!

@Flower Child: you really believe a 25 year old kid with no experience except working for DC special interests can beat Rep. Dold? In the general election the lines from the debate you just mentioned will win Schneider independent voters, not hurt him. This will allow him to go to Congress, vote for a Democratic Speaker and help the Democrat majority.

Is this your only argument against him? Its essentially that anyone who does anything bipartisan is not qualified for office. Are you against Planned Parenthood, HRC and the Sierra Club, who also gave money to Kirk? That argument sounds very Tea Party-ish.

The fact is Brad is 100% pro choice, marriage equality, pro-environment, plus a life experience that helps him make decisions based on real life experience.

Has Ilya ever hired or fired anyone? Has he ever managed anyone? Has he made a payroll or even a mortgage payment? Brad has more endorsements from local leaders who seem to think he is the best qualified, are they wrong too? Ilya seems like a great kid, but he's too young, inexperienced and too wrapped up in party labels. Schneider is the best candidate we can put forward to beat Dold in November.

@ Alex:
Yes!

Ilya will be 26 when his term as Congressman begins. So what?
Queen Elizabeth I was in charge a whole country by the time she was 25. Her daddy, Henry VIII was even younger-- ascending to the throne at the age of 18.
Sir Winston Churchill became a Member of Parliament at age of 26. Sometimes when you're destined to make history, you have to start young.
Back here in the good old USA, 140 people began their Congressional careers at age 30 or below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_youngest_members_of_the_United_States_Congress
And my personal favorite:
Ted Kennedy was elected Senator at age 30, and I think all true Progressives would tell you they are sad his career had not started sooner or lasted longer.

attend the debates! (2 this weekend)
keep an open mind!
Ilya to date has made mincemeat of his opponents. (and he will do the same to Dold in the fall if we can let him get that far)

stringer,
your posts are very intelligent and it is obvious that you have put a lot of thought into this Primary election. I do appreciate that.
The fact is, Dan Seals lost 3 general elections, in large part (my opinion) because voters did not see enough difference between the Republican and the Democrat (so there just wasn’t enough reason to unseat an incumbent).
Same thing will happen if we choose Brad, I fear. Much as he wants to paint himself as a “Progressive,” there isn’t too much difference between Schneider and Dold. And Dold will make sure the voters know this.

You hang out with "dumb" guys Dan?

It strikes me as odd when you have candidates like Brad, Herman, and Mitt. They want us to believe they have business experience that is better than their opponents. What jobs have they held in recent years? Their work is running for public office. Mitt for 6 years now, and Brad for at least two. (Is Mitt any better at his job than he was 4 years ago)? How are they performing at those jobs? All evidence suggests they aren't very effective at what they do which is why they never seem to get over the hump of even appearing electable. I'd lean towards calling Schneider dumb just to be kind because inept is what we already have representing our district in Congress.

The EPA does nothing to protect our water and air.

Quick. Somebody break something. That'll teach 'em.

^^^^^^^^ Is very grateful that Nick is not part of his immediate or extended family, WHEW.

The EPA, isn't that the Employment Prevention Agency?

Yes the Employment Prevention Agency, the Democrats love this agency. it is their favorite agency.

Preventing employment cuts down on greenhouse gases, which is good for the environment

Stringer Bell,
That’s what the Schneider campaign would like you to believe.
Have you had the opportunity to meet Ilya Sheyman, to hear him speak?
I urge you to take advantage of one of the debates scheduled for this weekend.
You might just be amazed (by Ilya):

02/25/201212:30: Live On-Air Candidate Forum in Deerfield Hosted by Tenth Dems and WCPT AM & FM Radio
Date: Saturday, February 25, 2012
Time: Doors open 12:30 pm; Live broadcast 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Location: Deerfield Hyatt, 1750 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, IL
Contact: RSVP to Tenth Dems online, call 847-266-VOTE (8683) or by email. Please leave your contact information (name, address, phone, email) when you call or write. The event is free and open to the public, but your advance registration is appreciated as it assists our planning. Space is limited and if attendance exceeds the capacity of the room, priority will be given to those who register in advance.
The broadcast will begin promptly at 1:00 pm on radio stations WCPT 820 AM, 92.5 FM, 92.7 FM and 99.9 FM.

02/26/201212:30: Leagues of Women Voters Candidate Forum in Highland Park
Date: Sunday, February 26, 2012
Time: 1:00 pm (doors open 12:30 pm)
Location: Highland Park Country Club, 1201 Park Ave. West, Highland Park
The scheduled debate times are as follows:
1:00pm - IL House District 58
2:00pm - IL Senate District 29
3:00pm, 10th Congressional District

Hmmmmm…
So I take it you are neither “blindly Democrat” nor “blindly Republican.”
Do you vote in primaries?
Are you planning to vote in the 2012 primary (in March)?
And if so, which ballot will you ask for (Democrat or Republican)?
Just curious. Because this is a discussion between Dem-leaning individuals concerning choices on the March 20 Democrat Primary ballot...

+1 Bob