Sheyman's "shameless attacks"? Are you kidding? Your hyperbole is showing. Brad has an attack ad out now, calling Ilya a "liar". Ilya hasn't told any lie that I can see; he has only recounted Brad's history of political giving. Brad makes snide remarks about Ilya's "youth", and compares him to the Tea Party. Isn't this just as "shameless"? "Living, working and raising a family" in the district does not qualify one for office. Ilya has worked in the political arena, and knows how to build coalitions - and yes, compromise and reaching across the aisle is necessary to do this - in order to move the country forward on a myriad of issues. And especially, with Santorem as a possible presidential candidate, we need a dependable progressive voice in Congress.

The only reason Brad has an ad out now countering Ilya's claims is because Ilya began the negativity in the first place. Extreme distortions of the truth are circling through the 10th district because of Ilya's campaign and outside groups. These distortions, along with the numerous hateful robocalls and mailers that I have gotten are, to me, shameless attacks.

Ms. Kraines - perhaps Ilya has been working in the political arena, but for how many years? And how many years has Brad been working as a management consultant, growing small businesses, and understanding the concerns and needs of the 10th district? If I understand correctly, Brad has been accomplishing all of this for as many years as Ilya has been alive. To me, that says more than any ad or robocall.

Sh,
“Brad is the only progressive candidate with the experience”?
News flash:
Actions speak louder than words! And Brad ain’t no “Progressive”!
Brad’s support of
1.) Kirk
2.) right-wing, anti-choice, pro-gun Republicans, such as Bob Bennett, R-UT and Mike Johanns
3.) Blue-Dogs like Bean, Hoyer, and Joe Lieberman
is proof-positive that Brad is barely a Democrat, let alone a “Progressive” Democrat.
Republicans that Brad invested in stood in the way of
1.) A fair, equitable, **progressive** tax code
2.) Healthcare reform
3.) Meaningful Wall Street reform
4.) The Public Option
5.) The Dream Act
6.) The President’s jobs bill (twice)
When Brad chooses to self-label as a “Progressive,” real Progressives like me feel like we’re being toyed with.

Ms. Kraines, I think "bickering" might be a light word to use to describe the slew of negative mailers, robo calls, and personal attacks at candidate forums that Ilya Sheyman, his campaign, and outside groups have perpetuated against Brad Schneider. Since when do a small number of donations to Republicans (all in the context of the issue of Israel) make someone a radical Right-Wing Republican? This type of party purity is dangerous for our country. Ilya Sheyman may adhere to a strict party ideology, but the voters in the 10th District do not. Furthermore, if Ilya Sheyman ends up in Congress (which he won't), it is doubtful based on his own positions and statements that he would be willing to work with Republicans on any issue (unless if they abandon their positions and adhere to his own far-left ideology). Ilya Sheyman and MoveOn do not represent the 10th District as a whole, and their overbearing presence in the district (and in my phone and mailbox) is unwarranted and embarrassing.

Brilliant post, Carol.

I do not believe that anything Ilya or his campaign states re: Brad’s past contributions qualifies as a lie!
As poster, Carol Kraines said, your hyperbole is showing.
Apparently (according to you) the Chicago Tribune, Politico, The Hill, and Julie Hamos have all called Ilya a liar.
Hmmm.
Do you have links? Do share. I’d like to see them!

SH. It is going to be a mean and nasty general election. All you need do is look at the "Team America" website if you doubt the power of their negative energy and self-serving vision of the road to nowhere.

http://teamamerica10th.blogspot.com

So think some bland nice guy playing the "sort of "Mitt Romney role...like Brad (or Tree) can win? Guess again. When pressed, Schneider has no experience, business, government, community service credentials. Tree is late to the game. At least Sheyman stands a fighting chance because he is aggressive, and if he must go negative, that's just the way it is, and I want a candidate who can go negative on an incumbent dolt and stop him in his tracks. Brad impressed me as an unemployed wimp who has zero accomplishments on his resume.

We could have an endorsement contest ie Howard Dean, Sierra Club, who support Ilya and don't think he's "lying", but that would be silly. If Brad can't handle the mild criticism from Ilya's campaign, how is he going to handle what Dold throws at him? The Republicans will stop at nothing to keep this seat. Ilya can handle it with aplomb - and without whining.

Well, Brad says he's a consultant and without more, it's hard to tell what that means. From his background, it looks like he's in insurance and the financial industry. I'd ask him what he thinks about financial industry regulation if I thought he'd answer.

and to answer your question, Turelli has a primary opponent. She didn't show up to the LWV debate in Highland Park, so she must be thinking he's not much of a threat. I'd have no idea if she's correct in that or not. He spoke at length at the LWV event, probably against their own rules, and he's basically against anything that helps anyone except wealthy health care executives.

Here is the link to Brad's consulting firm if that helps: http://www.cadence-strategy.com/default.html

Looks like Tree is more viable all the time. This little pissing match between Sheyman and Schneider is putting John on the map.

Thanks for the concern, Erik. So sorry you're unable to make an argument for your own candidate. Don't worry about me. I'm quite happy with my political life and political family.