(IL-19) Joe McMenamin for Congress

I first met Joe McMenamin a few weeks ago after the showing of a documentary movie in Springfield. He spoke during the group discussion period about why he felt Bush leading us into Iraq was misguided. He mentioned speaking in front of the Springfield city council in favor of a resolution opposing the war even before it began.

He also said he believes America has been hijacked by extremist ideologues who are taking us down the wrong path. Its immediately obvious when you hear McMenamin that he speaks with passion and the courage of conviction.

When he told everyone that he's running as a Democrat for Congress in the 19th district of Illinois against John Shimkus the room burst into wildly enthusiastic applause.

I've gotten to know him better since then. I learned more about his experience serving our country in Afghanistan and his experience as a lawyer. He believes that getting our of Iraq, providing health care and finding solutions to our energy/climate change problems are the three most important issues facing the nation. I'm convinced that he's the right kind of candidate to take on Shimkus and he's running in the right year to do it.

Those of you not familiar with the district may remember John Shimkus as the Chairman of the Capitol Page Board whose early "investigation" into Mark Foley's activities failed to find anything he felt was important enough to reveal to the Democratic members.

Or you may remember him receiving national attention for comparing the War in Iraq to the Cards-Cubs baseball rivalry.

If you read the State Journal-Register you might also know that Shimkus believes a dictatorship is the ideal form of government for Iraq.

And if you lived in the district when Shimkus was first elected to Congress then you'll remember his term-limit pledge, which he's now breaking because George Bush asked him to. He does pretty much everything George Bush asks him to do.

Its time for voters to enforce Shimkus' term limit pledge and Joe McMenamin is the candidate to make it happen.

I set up an Act Blue page to help raise money online for his campaign. He's off to a good fundraising start but he'll need much more to challenge an incumbent who receives large contributions from corporate special interest groups. Raising money early in online donations will help him earn the support of major donors and organizations as the campaign continues.

Please help Joe McMenamin get off to a strong start in his campaign by donating now. He's someone we will be proud to have represent us in Congress.

cross-posted from www.thereisaway.us

is he the only dem?

There is one other Dem running who has very little money and doesn't appear to be a serious challenger.

running against Shimkus - thank you so much for your post!