Hastert’s foe has no class … but at least he’s actually campainging
The diligent Rich Miller has the details about how Speaker of House Denny Hastert’s opponent is waging war on a anonymous blogger — who himself loathes Hastert. What sin did this blogger commit that has John Laesch wasting the time of his staff trying to “out” the blogger’s identity? Well, he allowed a commenter to say some very unflattering things about Laesch.
I agree with Rich. Laesch doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in an Illinois summer of beating Hastert. But at least the guy shows some signs of being alive, unlike the guy who the Democrats picked to run against Hastert’s lap dog, Ray LaHood. The guy — I forget his name — just might be a coma patient for all activity I see out of him.
And I am not joking or trying to be insulting when I say I cannot remember his name. I tried to look it up in my archives and then I tried searching Google for “Ray LaHood opponent 18th District” and the only name I could find was Doug Stephens. I gave up after five minutes because it’s just not worth it.
If the Democrats fail to take over the House by one vote come November, they have no one to blame but themselves because they chose to run a nameless zombie against LaHood in a year when he was vulnerable.
UPDATE: Always a classy guy, commenter Anon E. Mouse tells me the guy’s name is Steve Waterworth. And there’s some chat on the DCCC Weblog about LaHood and Waterworth’s chances.
UPDATE 2: HRC — the maligned blogger himself — suggests I put on my reporter cap and go on a road trip south of El Paso to investigate where and with whom Mr. Laesch spends his leisure hours. Nah. Were I interested in exposing folks who employ the services of skilled ecdysiasts, there are several places right here in River City I could haunt instead.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
Bill sez: “I gave up after five minutes ”
I reply: I keep wondering why you are a former reporter and not a current one.
It took me 30 second to find “Steve Waterworth.”
I was considering running as a write in against Lahood, but am saving my strength for a tilt against Durbin in a couple of years.
Hiya, Bill. Please stop by. I believe you have some cherry leads to pick up if you wish.
Not Mark Blackmun.
Steve Waterworth’s biggest problem is that he lives in Easton- which is like rural Havana…Podunksville. He is a farmer. He’s a good guy that raised 2 daughters alone after his wife passed away. He’s probably way too honest and has too much integrity to ever make it as a politician. I don’t know him personally, although I attended his daughter’s wedding. I don’t think he has the people or money to compete with LaHood.
I met Mr. Waterworth at the last Peoria County Democrats dinner.
Personally, I like him and will vote for him.
But, given that he has no help from his party and given that, personality wise, he comes across as shy and even meek, well, I am not all that confident about his chances.
As I do not live in Peoria this race has barely blipped my radar screen. I have not ever met either of the two candidates and with Mr. LaHood’s recent comments regarding Israel I would have to say he is anything but my kind of Republican.
That said I sometimes chuckle when someone references integrity and someone is too honest to win. Do we truly believe that most voters are that stupid to not realize who they are electing? That same phrase has been used for over two hundred years as have the complaints about races becoming too bitter and meanspirited.
At least we do not have people dueling it out anymore
I absolutely think that many- maybe not most- voters are that stupid…Most people pick a party and stick with it whether they know the candidates or not. Especially people that only show up for Presidential elections. It drives me insane that people seem to think that it’s the only “important” election…To me all elections are important, especially local and state elections. You are choosing the people that directly represent you and the area you live in.
For what it’s worth, his Lebanon stand was the last straw for me. I guess Ray is Lebanese before he’s American.
Vonster: I came to that conclusion a long time ago. Ray is worthless. He sees things in terms of what is good for Ray LaHood, not America or even hbis district.
…and that makes him different from other politicians because?
I think that Ray means well for good ‘ole Peoria, and wait a second..yeah…yep, no wait….its conclusive, there are aliens at my front door and they want my toaster oven.