One question I ask in all seriousness

is why people were so nutso over her to begin with?

Of course, now she's become the candidate to have the most money raised by DFA, only to drop out, since Howard himself!

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by: JackTrouble @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 03:40:24 AM UTC

Different DFA

And at least Howard made it to the primary/ies!

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by: DavidNYC @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 03:42:54 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

To her credit

Nancy Skinner was willing to run on an anti-war platform in '06 when establishment Democrats in the district were not willing to make the race.

But I credit Skinner for a statesmanlike move to withdraw now that a very credible candidate with prior electoral experience -- both winning campaigns and serving in office -- and deep roots in the area is carrying the torch.

I hope she keeps the money to pay off any lingering campaign debt from '06. The DFA vote was a sentimental expression of gratitude for that run in '06, but not a realistic evaluation of opportunity in '08. Goodness knows, this year again Michigan is ripe with opportunity in this district and several others.

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by: WoodyNYC @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 03:57:19 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Truth be told . . .

. . . I wondered the same thing, but I didn't want to step on anyone's toes, in case the forum turned out to be chock-full of Skinner supporters.

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by: The Caped Composer @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 03:59:23 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

DFA

It seems a shame that the "grassroots all-star" drops out 3 weeks after getting the nod. There were a few candidates who could do with that kind of help, several of whom seem to have support broad enough that I was surprised by the Skinner landslide. I'd hope DFA is thinking this over.

Hey, you Skinner, you brought 'er.

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by: JackTrouble @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 04:19:26 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Peters is a strong candidate

He lost the AG race in 2002 (a poor year for Dems nationwide) by just the tiniest of margins, and if memory serves, actually won the 9th district that year. He also has a great online outreach team. (Woot!)

And I'm relieved that Skinner has stepped aside. This is someone who got, after all, single-digits in the Illinois senate primary in 2004, then decided she wanted to run for Congress in Michigan less than two years later. Not a strong candidate in my view.

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by: DavidNYC @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 03:42:00 AM UTC

Gary Peters

Gary is certainly a strong candidate!

He is the first Democrat to run for this seat who has ever held elected office before. At this stage in the campaign, he has also raised more than any other Democrat who has challenged Knollenberg.

www.PetersForCongress.com -- I really encourage you all to visit Gary's website and read the "About Gary" section. He has a strong track record of accomplishments that includes staying $13 million under budget  while delivering record profits at the Lottery, serving as a Lt. Commander in the Navy Reserve, and having more bills signed into law while in the Senate than any other Democratic Senator.

MI-09 is a race to watch this year!

I'm proud to work for Gary Peters, because Joe Knollenberg is out of touch.

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by: JordanOOO @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 03:59:08 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

This is good

it gives Peters a stronger chance in the general.  

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by: Sean @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 03:47:32 AM UTC

Thank god

Glad to see Skinner get out of the way.  She had no chance at getting past Peters, who is a former State Senator, came very close to being AG, and was the State Lottery Commish.  It drove me up a wall to see DFA pick her to be their money hog for this year.  So many other candidates like Thrasher in AZ 2 could have used that money.  It annoys the hell out of me when organizations like that go with candidates that have no shot at getting out of the primary.  With Skinner out, if DFA makes a smart moves and gives the cash to someone with a chance, I may go back to giving them money again.  

Check out http://electioninspection.word... for the latest news, election results, poll analysis, and predictions

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by: skywrnchsr509 @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 03:51:21 AM UTC

Lottery Commissioner?

Wouldn't that just be "rolling the dice"?

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by: JackTrouble @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 04:21:35 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

remind me

wasn't Larry Kissell, NC-08 the runner-up?

Or do I only think that because that's who I voted for?

He could have put that money to better use. Skinner should pass it on to him.  

Half the population believes our electoral system is broken. The other half believes it is fixed. Wakeuplaughing.com  

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by: Christopher Walker @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 13:18:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

DFA Contest

Gary Peters came in 5th in that same Grass Roots All-Star contest, so he's no slouch in term of potential netroots support.

He's a strong candidate in a District that has changed dramatically since the last redistricting. MI-09 is one of the strongest pickup chances the Democrats have against a GOP incumbent running for reelection (Walberg in MI-07 is another vulnerable GOP incumbent).

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by: helzapoppn @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 18:56:49 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Gary Peters

is a hard worker.  He put together one of the most impressive legislative careers through his time in the state senate.  When he got to lansing he was almost immediately elected caucus chair, and he proceeded to introduce and pass more legislation than any other Democrat in a Republican controlled senate with a Republican governor.

We can thank Gary in no small part for a few bills such as;

1. Wiring Michigan schools with internet access in 95
2. Shutting down a medical waste incinerator in a poor neighborhood in Detroit.
3. Banning Directional Drilling for oil in the Great Lakes.
4. Getting better body armor for police, and helping ban cop killing bullets.

For his legislative accomplishments, he was awarded;

1. Sierra Club's environmentalist of the year.
2. Deputy Sheriff's Association - Star Award Winner
3. Fraternal Order of Police - Public Servant of the Year
4. Michigan Association of Justice - Champion of Justice Award

Not to mention his exemplary record of military service in the Naval reserve as a Lt. Commander, his committment to education, or his committment to working families with a 100% voting record from the AFL-CIO.

We've got ourselves a VERY great candidate here.  Plus, he's just a great person, and you can't downplay the importance of that. Gary Peters is the real deal and would genuinely appreciate your support.

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by: frontline in 09 @ Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 15:53:44 PM UTC