Democrat claims Hastert's former congressional seat
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/03/09/art.fosterad.cnn.jpg caption="Barack Obama appeared in an ad for Democrat Bill Foster."] (CNN) - A Democratic victory in a special election to fill the congressional seat held by former Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert is a sign of things to come, according to the party. Barack Obama’s campaign says it’s a demonstration of his electoral coattails.
First-time candidate Bill Foster, a physicist, beat Republican Jim Oberweis, a money manager and head of a giant dairy. The national Republican Party spent millions on his behalf.
Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen, who leads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said Foster’s victory demonstrated to Republican candidates that “Senator (John) McCain, who campaigned with the Republican nominee, cannot save them from defeat this November against strong Democratic challengers, even in districts that voted overwhelmingly for President Bush.”
The race had shaped up to be a presidential face-off of sorts, with McCain stumping for Oberweis and Obama backing Foster.
“You may think you have to wait until November to vote for change. But here in Illinois, you can start Saturday March 8th. That’s when you can vote to send Bill Foster to Congress,” said Obama in a campaign ad for the underdog candidate.
In a statement released by his campaign Saturday night, Obama said "The people of Illinois have sent an unmistakable message that they're tired of business-as-usual in Washington."
Republicans dispute the characterization. “The one thing 2008 has shown is that one election in one state does not prove a trend,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokeswoman Karen Hanretty said Saturday. “…The one message coming out of 2008 so far is that what happens today is not a bellweather of what happens this fall.”
And the other signs that things to come, when Senator Clinton wins Pennsylvania?
Yup...here we go again...the media never learns there lessons in trying to glorify Senator Obama.
Calling SNL
Awesome. As Illinois residents, we know firsthand that Obama's the man. And the rest of the country is catching on fast. That district will be better served by Bill Foster than it ever was by Dennis Hastert. American is hungry for change and looking forward to democratic solutions in 2008!
Congratulations, Congressman Foster!
OBAMA '08!!!
Figures Obama would try to claim victory for this...Its all about him or he thinks it is ....His coat tails do not go this far ... He is in for a rude awakening come April 22nd in Pennsylvania. Then lets watch him flash his anger like he did the night Ohio and Texas went for Hillary ...!!!
lets clean out anybody who has been in washington dc 8 years. how do you change the change if it is the same old people doing the same old things. this is why we the tax payers still think the clintons will cut deals with those strange people in the backroom called super what???? THIS IS A SIGN of things to come. Obama won 12 straight and then lost 3. He is back now with 1 and mississippi will make 2, IS THAT 14 OUT OF 18???? do what??? doesn't matter??? super get rich will put in clinton and not the majority votes????
"The one message coming out of 2008 so far is that what happens today is not a bellweather of what happens this fall.”
Denial is not just a river in Egypt.
sure sign of things to come
Obama is the visible frontrunner candidate. It can be seen that this so called 'movement' energizes people and gives them hope. While the republicans may disagree about Obama they laugh knowing that the biggest help to the GOP right now is Hillary Clinton.
Haha Hastert,it's time for change!
This is a big story for several reasons. First, this sends a message to a lot of super delegates sitting on the fence. Second, change isn't going to happen unless a lot of seats are picked up in congress. Obama means real change.
business as usual? aren't the "followers" seeing that obama is NO DIFFERENT from any other politician?
Obama, always taking credit but never responsibiliy. We need solutions not speeches. I promise I wouldn't swoon and faint at his concerts!!!
I'm glad for the coverage of this special election – but seriously? – you couldn't find a usable picture of the either candidate? you had to use one of Obama?
Its funny how Bill Clinton is trying to use Obama's name to get votes for his wife. I thought his wife has already endorsed John McCain and condemned Barack Obama. This is really desperate Bill
Perhaps if the superdels pick Hillary, Obama should should switch and run as an Independent. Then alas Obama supporters will have a valid voice.
This is huge news! Bill Foster would have lost that election if he had Hillary backing him. So this means alot for the upcoming district races that will be coming in the fall and it shows that Obama can deliver for the democratic party and I seriously doubt the polarizing and smarmy nature that Hillary exudes. Superdelegates need to pay attention to this.
This is exactly why the Democrats need Barack Obama on the top of the ticket....
They can win in Republican districts...
Make '08 a tidal shift to the Democratic party!
Giving Hillary the nomination would save Republican seats.
The Power of OBAMA!
Doesn't this prove something to the democrats? Obama will bring many
more democrats into Washington.
GO OBAMA
These results show what it will be like in November with Obama as head of the Democratic ticket,
a trend of things to come" that is so right.obama 09
The time for change has come. Sen. Obama is already showing his potential for the type of change this country needs and deserves.
Obama 08
Oberweis has been running for an Illinois congressional seat for many years. It's not surprising that he lost again.
That said, I'm glad that Hastert's seat went to a Dem. It shows that the Bush stench spreads far and wide
Thats what i do not like about politics.... Especially republicans... First it is "Every vote counts" then Its " ...one election in one state does not prove a trend."
Make up your mind and/or take defeat when it is handed to you!
go obama
Obama's coattails work!
That's why so many red state superdelegates, governors, senators etc. like Obama at the top of the ballot.
More evidence that he can expand the electoral playing field. One thing that helped Foster greatly was a well-organized get out the vote machine that the state party had organized to beef up Obama's totals in the Super Tuesday primary, and Obama himself took the time to cut an ad for Foster's campaign.