Continuing attacks between Democratic opponents is contest to earn the right to challenge in the Nov. 6 general election.
In the midst of the bickering, the race drew national attention as a column Tuesday by Stuart Rothenberg in Roll Call claimed Republicans believe a candidacy by Waukegan community organizer Ilya Sheyman is Dold’s best bet to hold the seat.
Most of the attention is about donations Deerfield management consultant Brad Schneider made to Republicans in the last 12 years.
The claims are being pushed by committed to helping a progressive gain the nomination. Sheyman worked for MoveOn before entering the race for Congress.
“Ninety percent of my donations have been to Democrats and 100 percent have been to support the U.S.-Israel relationship,” Schneider said.
Schneider never thought his support of Israel would be used to hurt him. “To use my support of the U.S.-Israel relationship as a tool to twist my progressive, lifelong values is shameful,” he said.
Before speaking at a rally for Sheyman Monday, or someone who can attract the independent voters important in the 10th District.
Howard Dean Attacks Schneider
“Independents want someone who will stand up for what they believe in,” Dean said. “They don’t want someone like Brad Schneider who swings back and forth between Republicans and Democrats.”
According to filings with the Federal Election Commission, Schneider has donated $32,030 to candidates with a majority going to Democrats including Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston), former Rep. Melissa Bean (D-Barrington) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
, who has endorsed Schneider, dismissed Dean’s remarks as twisting the facts.
“To suggest Brad Schneider cannot attract independents is absurd,” Hartstein said. “This is a distortion blown out of proportion because of his support for Israel.”
Sheyman campaign manager Annie Weinberg defended the efforts being made on her boss’s behalf, claiming voters have a right to know everything about all the candidates before making a choice.
"Over the last decade, Brad Schneider has given thousands of dollars to right-wing Republicans,” Weinberg said. “That is an undeniable fact in the public record. Voters have a right to know as they choose someone whom they trust to stand and fight for their values."
Republican Calls All Four Candidates Extreme
laughed at charges made by MoveOn’s advertising Schneider is a Republican in disguise.
“If you give 10 percent to Republicans and 90 percent to Democrats, you are a Democrat. If it’s 50-50 or maybe 60-40 you would be an independent,” said Atsaves, a Lake Forest resident. “All four are extreme,” he added referring to the philosophy of Sheyman, Schneider, Long Grove business owner and Mundelein attorney .
In Rotenberg’s column, he writes “They (the Republicans) believe they can portray him (Sheyman) as more extreme, making the district’s upscale voters uncomfortable with his aggressive style and views.”
Weinberg dismisses Rothenberg’s thesis as well. “Our campaign has out-raised all of our opponents this past quarter, including Bob Dold, with the strength of over 16,000 individual donors,” she said. “We have more donors from right here in Illinois than anyone else in the race.”
Tree and Bavda are staying out of the fight. Bavda continues to talk policy laying out his vision for the area and the country. “This is more of a side show,” he said of the Sheyman-Schneider barbs.
Tree remains hopeful voters will turn to him as Sheyman and Schneider fight between themselves.
“I’m disappointed to see fellow Democrats attack each other in this primary,” Tree said. “All Sheyman and Schneider prove is that they can attack each other. None of that will help us beat Bob Dold in November.”
Brad calls himself progressive, but I don't know any progressive who would give money to conservatives like Johanns and Bennett - even if it's onlly 10%. Brad is not being vilified because of his support of Israel. Democrats strongly and passionately support Israel, so one wonders why he would have to contribute to Johanns et al for that reason. And Ilya is "radical"? I wonder which of these views meets that criteria - quality education for all students, a jobs bill to upgrade infrastructure, energy independence, affordable health care, union rights? If Ilya wins the primary, and I think he will, Mr. Dold should quake in his boots. Ilya knows the issues inside and out, debates with passion and conviction, and represents the views and needs of the people in this district.
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.
“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.
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!
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.
If one hiccup is unearthed in Schneider's resume, he's finished. I doubt that resume has been thoroughly vetted